Lesser Purple Emperor vs Common Buckeye
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Purple Emperor | Common Buckeye |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apatura ilia | Junonia coenia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 54-68 mm wingspan | 42-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lesser Purple Emperor
Similar to the Purple Emperor but smaller, with an ocellus on the forewing and more strongly marked underside. It occurs in two forms: typical purple and a golden-orange aberration.
Did You Know?
The orange form (f. clytie) was once thought to be a separate species before genetics proved otherwise.
Common Buckeye
Brown butterfly with prominent eyespots on all four wings. Eyespots deter predators by mimicking the eyes of larger animals.
Did You Know?
Their large eyespots have been shown to startle birds into abandoning attacks.