Long-tailed Skipper vs Japanese Oakblue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Skipper | Japanese Oakblue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Urbanus proteus | Arhopala japonica |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 43-55 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States through Central and South America | East Asia, Japan |
| 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.
Japanese Oakblue
A beautiful lycaenid butterfly with brilliant metallic blue upperwings and cryptic brown underwings. Found in oak forests where its larvae live in association with ants. Known as 'murasaki-shijimi.'
Did You Know?
The caterpillars produce sweet secretions that attract ants, which then guard them from predators in a mutualistic relationship.