New Zealand Yellow Admiral vs Oregon Silverspot Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute New Zealand Yellow Admiral Oregon Silverspot Butterfly
Scientific Name Vanessa itea Speyeria zerene hippolyta
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Nymphalidae
Size 45-55 mm wingspan 5-6 cm wingspan
Habitat Gardens Grasslands
Diet Fruit Feeders Herbivores
Regions Oceania (New Zealand, also Australia) United States
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

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.

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Did You Know?

Yellow admirals are one of the few New Zealand butterflies that occasionally make trans-Tasman crossings between Australia and New Zealand.

Oregon Silverspot Butterfly

A medium-sized fritillary butterfly with bright silver spots on its hindwing undersides. It inhabits coastal grasslands from Washington to northern California.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae feed exclusively on early blue violet plants that grow in wind-swept coastal prairies.