Cretan Tiger Moth vs White-letter Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cretan Tiger Moth White-letter Hairstreak
Scientific Name Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis Satyrium w-album
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Lycaenidae
Size 42-52 mm wingspan Wingspan 26-30mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Hedgerows
Diet Herbivores Seed Feeders
Regions Crete, Rhodes, Mediterranean Islands Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Cretan Tiger Moth

A colorful tiger moth found on Mediterranean islands including Crete and Rhodes. It has black-and-white striped forewings and red-orange hindwings.

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Did You Know?

Thousands gather in the Valley of the Butterflies on Rhodes each summer to aestivate.

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.