Dingy Arctic Fritillary vs Green Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dingy Arctic Fritillary Green Hairstreak
Scientific Name Boloria improba Callophrys rubi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 26-32 mm wingspan Wingspan 26-34mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Heathland
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, Svalbard, Arctic Russia, Alaska, Canadian Arctic Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Dingy Arctic Fritillary

One of the smallest Arctic fritillaries with dull orange-brown wings and dark markings. The underside is mottled brown and gray with a mossy, cryptic appearance. It has a weak, fluttering flight close to the ground.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly is so rare and localized that some populations consist of fewer than 100 individuals on isolated mountain summits.

Green Hairstreak

A small butterfly with plain brown uppersides but stunning iridescent green undersides. It always rests with wings closed showing only the green underside.

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Did You Know?

It is the only green butterfly in Britain and its color comes from photonic crystals in the wing scales not pigment.