Cleopatra Butterfly vs Short-Winged Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cleopatra Butterfly | Short-Winged Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gonepteryx cleopatra | Meloe violaceus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Meloidae |
| Size | Wingspan 50-70mm | 15-32 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Cleopatra Butterfly
A large butterfly with deep orange forewings in males and pale greenish wings in females. Common in Mediterranean areas.
Did You Know?
Males have the deepest orange coloring of any European pierid butterfly, contrasting with their lemon-yellow undersides.
Short-Winged Blister Beetle
A blue-violet oil beetle found across Europe, often seen walking on paths and open ground in spring. Like other oil beetles, it oozes cantharidin-laced fluid from its joints when threatened.
Did You Know?
A single female can lay over 4,000 eggs in a season, but fewer than one percent of larvae survive to adulthood.