Mother Shipton vs Banded Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mother Shipton Banded Hairstreak
Scientific Name Euclidia mi Satyrium calanus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Lycaenidae
Size 30-35 mm wingspan 25-32 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, western Asia Eastern United States and southeastern Canada
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mother Shipton

A day-flying moth whose forewing markings resemble the profile of a witch's face. It is named after the famous English prophetess Mother Shipton.

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Did You Know?

The wing pattern clearly shows a hooked nose, chin, and eye in profile, resembling a caricature of a crone.

Banded Hairstreak

A small dark brown butterfly with conspicuous bands of white-edged dark dashes on its hindwing underside. It has a short thin tail and a small orange spot near the tail.

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Did You Know?

It rubs its hindwings together after landing, moving the tails to mimic antennae and trick predators into attacking the wrong end.