Scarce Copper vs Lobster Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarce Copper Lobster Moth
Scientific Name Lycaena virgaureae Stauropus fagi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Notodontidae
Size 30-38 mm wingspan 45-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scarce Copper

A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.

💡

Did You Know?

Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.

Lobster Moth

A moth whose young caterpillar mimics an ant and mature caterpillar resembles a lobster.

💡

Did You Know?

The caterpillar raises its swollen tail and thoracic legs in a bizarre threat display.