Large Tortoiseshell vs Tailed Jay
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Tortoiseshell | Tailed Jay |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nymphalis polychloros | Graphium agamemnon |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 54-65 mm wingspan | Wingspan 80-100mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia | Asia, Oceania |
| 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.
Tailed Jay
A fast-flying black swallowtail butterfly covered with spots of green or blue-green. It rarely settles and is constantly in motion.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few butterflies that flaps its wings even while feeding on flowers never fully stopping.