Red Lacewing vs Green Protea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Lacewing Green Protea Beetle
Scientific Name Cethosia biblis Smaragdesthes oertzeni
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Nymphalidae Scarabaeidae
Size 80-95 mm wingspan 12-22 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam) Central Africa (DRC, Congo, Cameroon)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Lacewing

A large butterfly with brilliant red-orange wings boldly bordered in black and white. The underside features an elaborate network of red, white, and black in a striking lacework pattern.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars are gregarious and covered in branching spines that deliver a mild sting, providing collective defense against predators.

Green Protea Beetle

A small but brilliantly metallic green beetle found in Central African forests. It is a frequent visitor to flowering trees and shrubs. The elytra have a smooth, highly reflective surface.

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Did You Know?

The intense green color of this beetle remains vivid even in preserved specimens, unlike many other insects whose colors fade.