Greenland Copper vs Common Euphaedra
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Greenland Copper | Common Euphaedra |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena phlaeas polaris | Euphaedra medon |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 55-70 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Scandinavia | West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Greenland Copper
The Arctic subspecies of the small copper butterfly, smaller and darker than its temperate counterparts. The forewings are bright copper-orange with dark spots. It is one of few butterflies found in southern Greenland.
Did You Know?
The Greenland population is believed to have survived the last Ice Age in a coastal refugium, making it a true glacial relict.
Common Euphaedra
A forest-dwelling butterfly with deep orange-brown wings and distinctive blue-purple iridescent bands. It is one of the most commonly encountered Euphaedra species in West Africa. Males and females differ significantly in pattern.
Did You Know?
Over 200 species of Euphaedra exist in Africa, making it one of the most species-rich butterfly genera on the continent.