Glanville Fritillary vs Mottled Tortoise Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Glanville Fritillary | Mottled Tortoise Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitaea cinxia | Deloyala guttata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 33-40 mm wingspan | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern (rare in Britain) | Least Concern |
Glanville Fritillary
An orange and black chequered butterfly confined in Britain to the Isle of Wight's coastal cliffs. It was named after Lady Eleanor Glanville, an eccentric 17th-century collector.
Did You Know?
Lady Glanville's relatives tried to have her will annulled, claiming only a lunatic would collect butterflies.
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
A small tortoise beetle with variable coloration, often gold with irregular black spots on the elytra. Like its relatives, it has broadly expanded margins that overhang the body.
Did You Know?
Its coloring can shift between gold and dull orange-brown depending on humidity and the beetle's physiological state.