Sweetbay Silk Moth vs Small Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sweetbay Silk Moth | Small Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Callosamia securifera | Lycaena phlaeas |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 80-105 mm | 26-36 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States coastal plain | Europe, Asia, North Africa, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sweetbay Silk Moth
A large silk moth similar to the promethea but associated with sweetbay magnolia in the southeastern United States. Males are dark brown-black and females are reddish-brown.
Did You Know?
The sweetbay silk moth is so closely tied to wetland habitats that its distribution precisely mirrors that of sweetbay magnolia swamps along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Small Copper
A vivid little butterfly with burnished copper-orange forewings spotted with black. It is feisty and territorial for its size, frequently chasing other butterflies from its perch.
Did You Know?
Rare aberrant individuals have blue spots on the hindwing and are prized by collectors.