Peacock Butterfly vs White-letter Hairstreak

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Peacock Butterfly White-letter Hairstreak
Scientific Name Aglais io Satyrium w-album
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 50-55 mm wingspan Wingspan 26-30mm
Habitat Underground Hedgerows
Diet Nectar Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Peacock Butterfly

Reddish-brown wings with four large blue and yellow eyespots resembling peacock feathers. Undersides are nearly black, providing camouflage when at rest.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, it rapidly opens its wings to flash its eyespots while making a hissing sound.

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.