Sunbeam Butterfly vs Red-tipped Flower Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sunbeam Butterfly Red-tipped Flower Beetle
Scientific Name Curetis thetis Malachius bipustulatus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Lycaenidae Melyridae
Size 34-40 mm wingspan 5-7 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sunbeam Butterfly

Dark upper wings contrast with brilliant silvery-white undersides. Fast-flying and sun-loving, often found darting around treetops.

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Did You Know?

Its reflective silver underside flashes in sunlight, earning the genus the name Sunbeam.

Red-tipped Flower Beetle

A small metallic green beetle with bright red tips on each elytron. Males can evert orange vesicles from their thorax as a display.

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Did You Know?

Males produce pheromone-laden secretions from thoracic vesicles that females lick during courtship.