Large Blue vs Australian Painted Lady
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Blue | Australian Painted Lady |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phengaris arion | Vanessa kershawi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 38-52 mm wingspan | 4-5 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Australia, New Zealand |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Large Blue
A blue butterfly with distinctive black spots that has one of the most complex life cycles in the insect world. It was declared extinct in Britain in 1979 but has been successfully reintroduced.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars trick ants into carrying them into their nests, where they feed on ant larvae for ten months.
Australian Painted Lady
An orange, black, and white butterfly closely related to the cosmopolitan painted lady. It undertakes seasonal migrations across southeastern Australia.
Did You Know?
Millions migrate northward in autumn in one of Australia's most impressive insect movements.