Scarce Copper vs Malagasy Blue Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Scarce Copper | Malagasy Blue Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena virgaureae | Leptomyrina phidias |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 30-38 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Madagascar |
| 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.
Malagasy Blue Butterfly
A small butterfly with brilliant blue upperwings in males and more subdued brown in females. The underwing surface has fine dark streaks on a silvery white background.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars are unusual among lycaenids in feeding on lichens rather than the more typical ants or plant tissue.