New Zealand Yellow Admiral vs Columbine Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Yellow Admiral | Columbine Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Vanessa itea | Pristiphora aquilegiae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 45-55 mm wingspan | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand, also Australia) | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Yellow Admiral
A native New Zealand butterfly closely related to the red admiral but featuring prominent yellow-orange patches on its wings. It is widespread across both islands and is a common garden visitor. Adults are strong fliers and may occasionally migrate.
Did You Know?
Yellow admirals are one of the few New Zealand butterflies that occasionally make trans-Tasman crossings between Australia and New Zealand.
Columbine Sawfly
A small, dark sawfly whose pale green larvae feed on the leaves of columbine plants. Larvae can cause significant damage in flower gardens.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward and can reduce a columbine plant to bare stems and leaf ribs within days.