Cranberry Blue vs Buff-tip
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cranberry Blue | Buff-tip |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Plebejus optilete | Phalera bucephala |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 55-68 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Japan | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cranberry Blue
A small butterfly with violet-blue upperwings in males and dark brown in females. The hindwing underside has a diagnostic metallic silver spot. It frequents boggy habitats where its larval foodplant cranberry grows.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar is tended by ants which protect it from parasitoids in exchange for sweet honeydew secretions.
Buff-tip
A moth that mimics a broken birch twig with remarkable precision when at rest. Its silvery-grey wings end in a buff-coloured patch resembling exposed wood.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars feed communally in large groups and can completely defoliate small trees.