Violet Copper vs Wallaces Golden Birdwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Violet Copper | Wallaces Golden Birdwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena helle | Ornithoptera croesus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 24-30 mm wingspan | 160-190 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern and central Europe, Siberia | Asia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Near Threatened |
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.
Wallaces Golden Birdwing
Named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who called it the finest specimen he ever captured. Males are brilliant orange-gold and black. Found only in North Maluku, Indonesia.
Did You Know?
Wallace was so overwhelmed by catching this butterfly in 1859 that he wrote his head began to ache and he felt close to fainting from the beauty of the creature.