Large Tortoiseshell vs Neon Skimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Tortoiseshell | Neon Skimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nymphalis polychloros | Libellula croceipennis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 54-65 mm wingspan | 48-55 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia | North America |
| 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.
Neon Skimmer
A brilliantly red dragonfly of the American Southwest with amber-tinted wings. Males are an intense fluorescent red that seems to glow in sunlight.
Did You Know?
Its neon-red coloring is so vivid that it appears to fluoresce in bright sunlight.