Violet Copper vs Common Jumping Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Violet Copper Common Jumping Bristletail
Scientific Name Lycaena helle Petrobius maritimus
Order Lepidoptera Archaeognatha
Family Lycaenidae Machilidae
Size 24-30 mm wingspan 10-13 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Beaches & Coastal
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Northern and central Europe, Siberia Europe
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Violet Copper

A tiny butterfly whose males display a vivid violet-purple sheen over coppery-orange wings. It is one of Europe's rarest and most localised coppers.

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Did You Know?

It is so rare in western Europe that individual colonies receive specific conservation management plans.

Common Jumping Bristletail

A coastal bristletail found on rocky shores throughout Europe. It has a distinctive arched body shape and large compound eyes.

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Did You Know?

It can jump up to 30 centimeters by flexing its abdomen against the ground.