Freyer's Purple Emperor vs Painted Lichen Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Freyer's Purple Emperor | Painted Lichen Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apatura metis | Hypoprepia fucosa |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Arctiidae |
| Size | 60-70 mm wingspan | 25-33 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Woodlands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, China | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern (globally); rare and declining in Eu | Least Concern |
Freyer's Purple Emperor
A large, powerful butterfly closely related to the purple emperor but restricted to river valleys. Males display a brilliant purple-blue iridescence on the upper wing surface.
Did You Know?
Males patrol narrow sections of riverbank at high speed, chasing away all other large insects.
Painted Lichen Moth
A small moth with distinctive grey forewings bearing bright red-orange stripes running from base to tip. It is one of the lichen moths, whose larvae feed on lichens and algae.
Did You Know?
Its bold warning coloration advertises chemical defenses derived from the lichen compounds its larvae consume.