Map Butterfly vs White-spotted Ichneumon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Map Butterfly | White-spotted Ichneumon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Araschnia levana | Compsocryptus texensis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 32-40 mm wingspan | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Southern United States, Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Map Butterfly
A small butterfly that produces two dramatically different seasonal forms within the same year. Spring adults are orange with black spots; summer adults are black with white bands.
Did You Know?
The seasonal colour change is triggered by day length during the larval stage, not temperature.
White-spotted Ichneumon
A medium black ichneumon wasp with conspicuous white spots on the thorax and legs. It parasitizes spider egg sacs and caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few ichneumon wasps adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the American Southwest.