Great Orange Tip vs Freyer's Purple Emperor

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Orange Tip Freyer's Purple Emperor
Scientific Name Hebomoia glaucippe Apatura metis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Nymphalidae
Size Wingspan 75-100mm 60-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions Asia, Oceania Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (globally); rare and declining in Eu

Great Orange Tip

The largest pierid butterfly in the world with white wings bearing brilliant orange tips. It has a fast powerful flight.

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Did You Know?

Its underwing pattern perfectly mimics a dead leaf providing excellent camouflage when it rests with wings closed.

Freyer's Purple Emperor

A large, powerful butterfly closely related to the purple emperor but restricted to river valleys. Males display a brilliant purple-blue iridescence on the upper wing surface.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol narrow sections of riverbank at high speed, chasing away all other large insects.