Winged Stick Insect vs Small Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Winged Stick Insect | Small Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megacrania batesii | Aglais urticae |
| Order | Phasmatodea | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Phasmatidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 100-140mm | Wingspan 45-55mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Winged Stick Insect
A large bright green stick insect with well-developed wings that can fly short distances. It feeds on pandanus palms along tropical coastlines. When threatened it sprays a peppermint-scented defensive chemical.
Did You Know?
It sprays a liquid that smells exactly like peppermint oil from glands in its thorax when threatened.
Small Tortoiseshell
A familiar orange butterfly with black and yellow markings and a row of blue crescents along the wing margins. It hibernates in buildings over winter.
Did You Know?
Adults hibernate in attics and sheds and can survive freezing temperatures by producing glycerol as natural antifreeze.