Common Buckeye vs Small Heath Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Buckeye | Small Heath Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Junonia coenia | Coenonympha pamphilus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 42-55 mm wingspan | 26-33 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Buckeye
Brown butterfly with prominent eyespots on all four wings. Eyespots deter predators by mimicking the eyes of larger animals.
Did You Know?
Their large eyespots have been shown to startle birds into abandoning attacks.
Small Heath Butterfly
A small, plain orange-brown butterfly that always rests with its wings closed. It is one of the most widespread grassland butterflies in Europe.
Did You Know?
It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.