Hazel Sawfly vs Small Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hazel Sawfly | Small Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Croesus septentrionalis | Lycaena phlaeas |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 26-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hazel Sawfly
A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and dark thorax. The bluish-green larvae with black heads feed gregariously on hazel, birch, and alder.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, the gregarious larvae raise their tails simultaneously in an S-shape, creating an intimidating group display to deter predators.
Small Copper
A vivid little butterfly with burnished copper-orange forewings spotted with black. It is feisty and territorial for its size, frequently chasing other butterflies from its perch.
Did You Know?
Rare aberrant individuals have blue spots on the hindwing and are prized by collectors.