Kirby's Dropwing vs Large Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Kirby's Dropwing | Large Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trithemis kirbyi | Nymphalis polychloros |
| Order | Odonata | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Libellulidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 30-37 mm | 54-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Africa, Asia, Europe | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) |
Kirby's Dropwing
A bright orange-red dragonfly widespread across Africa and into southern Asia. Males have distinctive orange wing bases and red veins.
Did You Know?
It has recently colonized southern Europe via the Middle East, now breeding in Spain and Italy.
Large Tortoiseshell
A large orange butterfly with dark spots resembling a scaled-up small tortoiseshell, once widespread in Britain but now effectively extinct there. It hibernates as an adult in tree hollows.
Did You Know?
Its decline in Britain is thought to be linked to Dutch elm disease destroying its primary food plant.