Japanese Copper vs Mountain Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Copper | Mountain Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena phlaeas daimio | Arctophila superbiens |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 22-30 mm wingspan | 10-14 mm body length |
| Habitat | Underground | Meadows |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | Northern Europe, Alps, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Mountain Hover Fly
A furry, bumblebee-mimicking hover fly of alpine meadows. Its dense body hair helps it retain heat in cold mountain environments.
Did You Know?
Its convincing bumblebee mimicry deters predators despite being completely harmless.