Japanese Copper vs Mormon Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Copper | Mormon Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena phlaeas daimio | Apodemia mormo |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 22-30 mm wingspan | 22-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Western North America from Canada to Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (species); some subspecies criticall |
Japanese Copper
The Japanese subspecies of the small copper butterfly, known as 'beni-shijimi.' A small but brilliantly colored butterfly with fiery orange-copper wings. One of the most common butterflies in Japan.
Did You Know?
Male small coppers are aggressively territorial and will challenge insects much larger than themselves, including large butterflies and dragonflies.
Mormon Metalmark
A small butterfly with dark brown wings covered in white spots arranged in irregular bands. Several of its subspecies are critically endangered.
Did You Know?
The Lange's metalmark subspecies, restricted to a single sand dune in California, is one of the rarest butterflies in the world.