Japanese Comma Butterfly vs Malagasy Edmond's Carpenter Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Comma Butterfly Malagasy Edmond's Carpenter Ant
Scientific Name Nymphalis vaualbum Camponotus edmondi
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Nymphalidae Formicidae
Size 55-65 mm wingspan 6-14 mm
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Comma Butterfly

Known as 'erutateha' in Japanese, a large nymphalid butterfly with deeply scalloped wing edges. The undersides provide excellent bark camouflage. Adults overwinter and can be seen flying on warm winter days.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly hibernates through winter as an adult and can sometimes be seen flying on unusually warm days in January and February in Japan.

Malagasy Edmond's Carpenter Ant

A medium-large carpenter ant with a bicolored body, typically dark head and gaster with a reddish-brown thorax. Workers are polymorphic, with major workers having disproportionately large heads.

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Did You Know?

Major workers can use their oversized heads to physically block the nest entrance, acting as living doors.