Geranium Bronze vs Small Ranunculus
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Geranium Bronze | Small Ranunculus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacyreus marshalli | Hecatera dysodea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 18-23 mm wingspan | 30-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe | Europe, western Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Geranium Bronze
A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.
Did You Know?
Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.
Small Ranunculus
A subtly attractive moth with pale grey-green wings marked with intricate darker patterns. It was once rare in Britain but has expanded its range northward in recent decades.
Did You Know?
It is one of few moths whose caterpillars feed on cultivated lettuce, making it an occasional garden pest.