Indian Fritillary vs Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Fritillary | Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Argyreus hyperbius | Myrmeleon formicarius |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 30-35 mm body (adult) |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Fritillary
Orange wings with rounded black spots; females have darker forewings with white patches. Females mimic the toxic Danaus chrysippus.
Did You Know?
Female-limited Batesian mimicry protects them while males retain the ancestral orange pattern.
Antlion
Larvae build conical sand pit traps to catch ants and other small insects. The larva waits buried at the bottom and flicks sand at prey trying to escape up the slopes.
Did You Know?
Antlion larvae engineer their sand traps using physics — they build at the exact angle of repose so any disturbance causes an avalanche, sweeping prey to the bottom.