White Ermine vs Sonoran Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Ermine Sonoran Blue
Scientific Name Spilosoma lubricipeda Philotes sonorensis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Lycaenidae
Size 34-42 mm wingspan 18-22 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White Ermine

A pure white moth peppered with variable black dots, resembling ermine fur. The number of spots varies greatly between individuals.

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Did You Know?

Some individuals have so few spots they appear nearly pure white, while others are heavily marked.

Sonoran Blue

Tiny blue butterfly with orange and black hindwing spots. One of the earliest-flying butterflies of the year in the American West.

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Did You Know?

Adults fly as early as February, when few other butterflies are active in their range.