Sooty Ringlet vs Japanese Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sooty Ringlet Japanese Copper
Scientific Name Erebia pluto Lycaena phlaeas daimio
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 36-44 mm wingspan 22-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Alps East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sooty Ringlet

One of the darkest European butterflies, almost entirely black. It inhabits the highest scree slopes and rock faces in the Alps.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly black wings help absorb solar radiation for warmth in its frigid habitat.

Japanese Copper

The Japanese subspecies of the small copper butterfly, known as 'beni-shijimi.' A small but brilliantly colored butterfly with fiery orange-copper wings. One of the most common butterflies in Japan.

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Did You Know?

Male small coppers are aggressively territorial and will challenge insects much larger than themselves, including large butterflies and dragonflies.