Violet Copper vs Long-Palped Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Violet Copper | Long-Palped Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena helle | Dicranota bimaculata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Pediciidae |
| Size | 24-30 mm wingspan | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It is so rare in western Europe that individual colonies receive specific conservation management plans.
Long-Palped Crane Fly
A short-bodied crane fly whose predatory larvae inhabit gravel beds of clean streams. Larvae are active hunters among cobble interstices.
Did You Know?
Unlike most crane fly larvae, this species is an active predator rather than a detritivore.