Common Crow Butterfly vs Mexican Cactus Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Crow Butterfly Mexican Cactus Fly
Scientific Name Euploea core Copestylum mexicanum
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Nymphalidae Syrphidae
Size 85-95 mm wingspan 12-18 mm
Habitat Heathland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Crow Butterfly

Dark brown wings with rows of white marginal spots. Highly toxic due to alkaloids sequestered from its larval food plants.

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Did You Know?

Males form large aggregations during the dry season, sometimes numbering in the millions.

Mexican Cactus Fly

A large, dark hoverfly whose larvae develop in decaying cactus tissue. Adults are strong fliers visiting flowers in arid landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Larvae play an important ecological role in recycling decaying cactus material.