Swamp Metalmark vs Marbled Minor

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swamp Metalmark Marbled Minor
Scientific Name Calephelis mutica Oligia strigilis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Riodinidae Noctuidae
Size 22-28 mm wingspan 24-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Underground
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions Upper Midwest United States, Great Lakes region Europe
Conservation Near Threatened; extremely local Least Concern

Swamp Metalmark

A rare and localized metalmark butterfly of midwestern wetlands with warm rusty-brown wings marked with fine metallic lines. It has very specific habitat requirements.

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Did You Know?

Some populations consist of fewer than 50 individuals, making it one of North America's most vulnerable butterflies.

Marbled Minor

A small, cryptically marked moth that is extremely variable in pattern. Part of a complex of similar-looking species that can only be reliably separated by dissection.

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Did You Know?

Part of a notoriously difficult species complex where three species look almost identical.