Goatweed Leafwing vs Australian Sheep Blowfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Goatweed Leafwing | Australian Sheep Blowfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anaea andria | Calliphora augur |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 55-75 mm wingspan | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Central and Eastern United States, northern Mexico | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Goatweed Leafwing
A bright orange butterfly whose angular wing shape and mottled brown underside create a perfect dead-leaf disguise when at rest. It almost never visits flowers.
Did You Know?
It overwinters as an adult, hiding among dead leaves where its camouflage makes it virtually invisible.
Australian Sheep Blowfly
A large, dark blue blow fly endemic to Australia with a distinctive orange face and cheeks. It is one of the earliest colonizers of carrion in Australian conditions and is used in forensic entomology. Occasionally it contributes to secondary blowfly strike in sheep.
Did You Know?
Its bright orange face distinguishes it from other blue blow flies and makes it one of the most recognizable forensic indicator species in Australia.