Long-tailed Skipper vs Geranium Bronze
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Skipper | Geranium Bronze |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Urbanus proteus | Cacyreus marshalli |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 43-55 mm wingspan | 18-23 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern United States through Central and South America | Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-tailed Skipper
A striking skipper with iridescent blue-green body and wing bases and long tail-like projections on the hindwings. It is a strong flier and occasional migrant.
Did You Know?
Known as the bean leaf roller because the caterpillar folds bean leaves into tubular shelters.
Geranium Bronze
A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.
Did You Know?
Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.