Green Hairstreak vs Brazilian Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Hairstreak Brazilian Skipper
Scientific Name Callophrys rubi Calpodes ethlius
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Hesperiidae
Size Wingspan 26-34mm 45-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Wetlands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Southern United States through Central America and South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Hairstreak

A small butterfly with plain brown uppersides but stunning iridescent green undersides. It always rests with wings closed showing only the green underside.

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Did You Know?

It is the only green butterfly in Britain and its color comes from photonic crystals in the wing scales not pigment.

Brazilian Skipper

A robust brown skipper butterfly with translucent white spots on the forewings. Its larvae build leaf shelters on canna lily plants.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars are sometimes called canna leafrollers because they roll and silk-tie canna leaves into tube-shaped shelters.