Great Banded Grayling vs Coconut Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Banded Grayling Coconut Ant
Scientific Name Brintesia circe Tapinoma melanocephalum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Nymphalidae Formicidae
Size 60-70 mm wingspan 1.3-2 mm
Habitat Heathland Indoors
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Southern and central Europe, western Asia Pantropical, Global in heated buildings
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Great Banded Grayling

A large brown butterfly with a prominent white band across the hindwing underside, resembling a tree-trunk fragment. It settles on tree bark and rocks, becoming almost invisible.

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Did You Know?

When it lands on a tree trunk, it tilts to eliminate its shadow, perfecting its bark-like camouflage.

Coconut Ant

A tiny bicolored ant with a dark head and pale translucent body, also called the ghost ant. It is a major household pest in tropical regions worldwide.

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Did You Know?

Their translucent body makes their abdomen change color depending on what food they have recently eaten.