Marbled White vs Lesser Emperor
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marbled White | Lesser Emperor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melanargia galathea | Anax parthenope |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 46-56 mm wingspan | 62-75 mm body length |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia, North Africa | Southern Europe, Central Europe, Western Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Marbled White
A distinctive butterfly with bold black and white chequered wings that resembles no other European species. Despite its appearance, it is a member of the browns family, not the whites.
Did You Know?
Uniquely, females simply drop their eggs randomly into grass while in flight rather than placing them on food plants.
Lesser Emperor
A large dragonfly with a brownish thorax and distinctive blue saddle at the base of its abdomen. It is a strong migrant expanding northward through Europe.
Did You Know?
Females lay eggs while flying in tandem with the male over open water.