Japanese Comma Butterfly vs Nettle-tree Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Comma Butterfly Nettle-tree Butterfly
Scientific Name Nymphalis vaualbum Libythea celtis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Nymphalidae
Size 55-65 mm wingspan Wingspan 40-50mm
Habitat Mountains Rivers & Streams
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions East Asia, Japan/Korea Europe, Asia, Africa
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.

Nettle-tree Butterfly

A medium butterfly with angular wings and an extremely long snout formed by elongated palps. Its wings are dark brown with orange patches.

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Did You Know?

Its elongated palps give it the longest snout of any European butterfly making it instantly recognizable.