Common Tree Nymph vs Zela Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Tree Nymph | Zela Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Idea stolli | Emesis zela |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 130-170 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Borneo, Sulawesi, Philippines, Maluku) | Southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Tree Nymph
A very large butterfly with translucent white wings heavily veined and spotted in black. It flies with a slow, lazy, paper-kite fluttering motion through the forest understory.
Did You Know?
Its slow, floating flight advertises its toxicity to predators - the caterpillars store alkaloids from their host plants that persist into adulthood.
Zela Metalmark
A small butterfly with rust-brown wings marked with fine dark lines and subtle metallic scaling. It inhabits mountain canyons in the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico.
Did You Know?
It is one of the target species for butterfly watchers visiting the famous canyons of southeastern Arizona.