Provencal Burnet vs Didius Blue Morpho

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Provencal Burnet Didius Blue Morpho
Scientific Name Zygaena occitanica Morpho didius
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Zygaenidae Nymphalidae
Size Wingspan 25-35mm 130-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Africa South America (Peru)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Provencal Burnet

A small day-flying moth with dark blue-green metallic forewings bearing red spots and bright red hindwings. It contains hydrogen cyanide for defense.

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Did You Know?

Both adults and larvae contain cyanide compounds making them toxic to birds and other predators at all life stages.

Didius Blue Morpho

One of the largest Morpho butterflies, with a wingspan reaching up to 150 mm. The males display brilliant metallic blue upperwings, while the underwings are brown with prominent eyespots. Found in cloud forests of Peru at elevations between 800 and 1800 meters.

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Did You Know?

The iridescent blue color is not from pigment but from microscopic scales that refract light, a principle now used in anti-counterfeiting technology.