Large Tortoiseshell vs Leaf-footed Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Tortoiseshell | Leaf-footed Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nymphalis polychloros | Leptoglossus occidentalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Coreidae |
| Size | 54-65 mm wingspan | 16-20 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia | North America, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern (extinct in Britain) | Least Concern |
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.
Leaf-footed Bug
A medium to large brown bug with a distinctive white zigzag band across the wings and flattened, leaf-like expansions on the hind tibiae. It feeds on developing conifer seeds.
Did You Know?
Originally native to western North America, this bug has rapidly invaded Europe since 1999, spreading across the entire continent in just two decades.