Violet Copper vs Eastern Tailed-Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Violet Copper | Eastern Tailed-Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena helle | Cupido comyntas |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 24-30 mm wingspan | 20-29 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern and central Europe, Siberia | North America |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is so rare in western Europe that individual colonies receive specific conservation management plans.
Eastern Tailed-Blue
Tiny blue butterfly with thin tails on the hindwings and orange spots near the tail. One of the smallest and most common butterflies in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
Its tiny hindwing tails mimic antennae, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end.