Purple Hairstreak vs Gulf Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Purple Hairstreak | Gulf Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Favonius quercus | Dione vanillae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 31-40 mm wingspan | 60-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia, North Africa | North America, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Purple Hairstreak
A small dark butterfly with a purple-blue sheen visible only at certain angles, living almost exclusively in oak canopies. It feeds on honeydew rather than visiting flowers.
Did You Know?
Colonies can exist undetected for years because the butterflies almost never leave the treetops.
Gulf Fritillary
Bright orange wings with black markings above and elongated silver spots below. Despite its name, it belongs to the passion-vine butterfly subfamily.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars are bright orange with black spines to warn predators of chemicals from passion vines.