Zebra Longwing vs Lotis Blue Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Zebra Longwing Lotis Blue Butterfly
Scientific Name Heliconius charithonia Lycaeides argyrognomon lotis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Lycaenidae
Size 72-100 mm wingspan 2-2.5 cm wingspan
Habitat Underground Beaches & Coastal
Diet Pollen Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America, Central America, South America United States
Conservation Least Concern Critically Endangered

Zebra Longwing

A neotropical butterfly with elongated jet-black wings bearing bold pale yellow stripes. It is unusual among butterflies for feeding on pollen in addition to nectar.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly can digest pollen by dissolving it with saliva on its proboscis, providing amino acids that allow adults to live six months or longer.

Lotis Blue Butterfly

A small blue butterfly historically found in sphagnum bog habitats in coastal Mendocino County, California. It has not been seen since 1983.

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Did You Know?

Despite extensive searches, no living individuals have been found in over 40 years.