Small Copper vs Painted Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Copper Painted Grasshopper
Scientific Name Lycaena phlaeas Poekilocerus pictus
Order Lepidoptera Orthoptera
Family Lycaenidae Pyrgomorphidae
Size 26-36 mm wingspan 40-55 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Copper

A vivid little butterfly with burnished copper-orange forewings spotted with black. It is feisty and territorial for its size, frequently chasing other butterflies from its perch.

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Did You Know?

Rare aberrant individuals have blue spots on the hindwing and are prized by collectors.

Painted Grasshopper

A strikingly colorful grasshopper with bright yellow and turquoise markings found in the Indian subcontinent. Its vivid coloration warns predators of its toxicity.

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Did You Know?

This grasshopper sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides from the milkweed plants it eats, making it poisonous to birds and other predators.