Cranberry Blue vs Poplar Admiral
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cranberry Blue | Poplar Admiral |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Plebejus optilete | Limenitis populi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 70-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Japan | Central and northern Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (declining in western Europe) |
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.
Poplar Admiral
Europe's largest nymphalid butterfly with broad dark wings bearing white bands and orange submarginal crescents. It is shy and rarely descends from the forest canopy.
Did You Know?
It is so difficult to observe that many lepidopterists travel years before seeing one in the wild.