Neotropical Blue Hairstreak vs Long-Palped Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Blue Hairstreak Long-Palped Crane Fly
Scientific Name Pseudolycaena marsyas Dicranota bimaculata
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Lycaenidae Pediciidae
Size 35-45 mm wingspan 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Neotropical Blue Hairstreak

A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.

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Did You Know?

Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.

Long-Palped Crane Fly

A short-bodied crane fly whose predatory larvae inhabit gravel beds of clean streams. Larvae are active hunters among cobble interstices.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most crane fly larvae, this species is an active predator rather than a detritivore.