False Ringlet vs Great Purple Emperor

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute False Ringlet Great Purple Emperor
Scientific Name Coenonympha oedippus Sasakia charonda
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Nymphalidae
Size 30-36 mm wingspan 75-110 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Dung Feeders
Regions Scattered localities in Europe, east to Japan East Asia, Japan
Conservation Near Threatened (critically endangered in EU) Near Threatened

False Ringlet

A small, drab brown butterfly with a row of striking silver-centred eyespots on the hindwing underside. It is one of the most endangered butterflies in western Europe.

💡

Did You Know?

It has vanished from over 90% of its former European range in the last century due to wetland drainage.

Great Purple Emperor

Japan's national butterfly, known as 'o-murasaki' in Japanese. Males display a stunning purple iridescence on their wings. A large and powerful flier found in deciduous forests.

💡

Did You Know?

Designated as Japan's national butterfly in 1957, the Great Purple Emperor is rarely seen feeding on flowers, preferring tree sap instead.