Purple Emperor vs Southern Snout Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Emperor | Southern Snout Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apatura iris | Libytheana carinenta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 62-80 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia, Japan | Southern United States through Central and South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Purple Emperor
A majestic woodland butterfly whose males display an intense iridescent purple sheen visible only at certain angles. It never visits flowers, preferring carrion, dung, and tree sap.
Did You Know?
Enthusiasts bait it down from the canopy using rotting shrimp, dirty nappies, or Stilton cheese.
Southern Snout Butterfly
A medium-sized butterfly with an extremely elongated snout formed by its labial palps, giving it a unique beak-like profile. Its angular orange and brown wings resemble dead leaves.
Did You Know?
Spectacular mass migrations of millions of individuals sometimes darken the skies in Texas.