Small Heath Butterfly vs Sallow
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Heath Butterfly | Sallow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coenonympha pamphilus | Xanthia icteritia |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 26-33 mm wingspan | 30-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.
Sallow
A pretty golden-yellow moth found in autumn, associated with sallow trees. Adults can be attracted to sugar or wine rope. Larvae feed on sallow catkins before descending to feed on low plants.
Did You Know?
Larvae begin life eating sallow catkins high in trees, then descend to complete development on ground-level plants.