White-letter Hairstreak vs Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White-letter Hairstreak | Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Satyrium w-album | Cameraria ohridella |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Gracillariidae |
| Size | Wingspan 26-30mm | 7-8 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Underground |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Originally Balkans, now across Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
White-letter Hairstreak
A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.
Did You Know?
Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.
Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner
A tiny moth that has devastated horse chestnut trees across Europe since its discovery in 1985. Larvae mine inside leaves causing brown blotches. Spread with extraordinary speed across the continent.
Did You Know?
Spread across the entire European continent in just 20 years, one of the fastest insect invasions ever recorded.