Small Heath Butterfly vs Crimson Rose

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Heath Butterfly Crimson Rose
Scientific Name Coenonympha pamphilus Pachliopta hector
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Papilionidae
Size 26-33 mm wingspan Wingspan 90-120mm
Habitat Grasslands Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, North Africa, Western Asia Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Heath Butterfly

A small, plain orange-brown butterfly that always rests with its wings closed. It is one of the most widespread grassland butterflies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.

Crimson Rose

A striking black swallowtail with bright crimson patches on the hindwings and a red body. It is a model species for mimicry by other butterflies.

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Did You Know?

Its body contains toxic aristolochic acids from its larval food plant making it unpalatable and a model for multiple mimic species.