Zodiac Moth vs Scarce Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zodiac Moth | Scarce Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alcides metaurus | Lycaena virgaureae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Uraniidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 8-10 cm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Australia, Papua New Guinea | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Zodiac Moth
A spectacular day-flying moth with iridescent green and black wings resembling a swallowtail butterfly. It migrates in large numbers through north Queensland rainforests.
Did You Know?
Its brilliant green wing color is produced by microscopic light-refracting structures, not pigment.
Scarce Copper
A brilliant fiery-orange butterfly with black-spotted forewings, the male being one of the most intensely coloured European butterflies. Females are more subdued with brown-spotted orange wings.
Did You Know?
Males are so brilliantly orange they can be spotted from over 50 metres away in sunlit meadows.