Large Copper Butterfly vs Arctic Clouded Yellow
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Copper Butterfly | Arctic Clouded Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena dispar | Colias tyche |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 33-40 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Arctic Russia, Siberia, northern Alaska, Yukon |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Large Copper Butterfly
Once widespread across European wetlands, the English subspecies went extinct in the 1850s. Remaining populations are declining due to drainage of fens and marshes.
Did You Know?
The English subspecies of the large copper was one of the first British butterflies to go extinct — driven to extinction by drainage of the East Anglian fens in the 1850s.
Arctic Clouded Yellow
A medium-sized butterfly with pale greenish-yellow wings and prominent dark borders. The underside has a silvery-white discal spot. It has a powerful, direct flight over open tundra landscapes.
Did You Know?
This butterfly is so well adapted to the Arctic that it can fly in wind speeds that would ground most temperate butterflies.