Garden Acerentomid vs Small Apollo

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Garden Acerentomid Small Apollo
Scientific Name Acerentomon gallicum Parnassius phoebus
Order Protura Lepidoptera
Family Acerentomidae Papilionidae
Size 0.8-1.3 mm 50-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Meadows
Diet Fungus Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Central Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Garden Acerentomid

A minute soil-dwelling proturan commonly found in gardens and meadows of western Europe. It lacks eyes, wings, and antennae entirely.

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Did You Know?

This species was not discovered until the 20th century because its tiny size makes it nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Small Apollo

A high-altitude alpine butterfly with translucent white wings bearing small red and black spots. It flies weakly over alpine meadows and scree slopes above the treeline.

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Did You Know?

It only occurs above the treeline in the Alps and is one of Europe's highest-altitude butterflies.