Firethorn Leaf Miner vs Numata Longwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Firethorn Leaf Miner | Numata Longwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phyllonorycter leucographella | Heliconius numata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Gracillariidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 7-8 mm wingspan | 60-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, spreading north | South America (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Firethorn Leaf Miner
A tiny moth whose larvae create blister mines on pyracantha leaves. Originally from southern Europe, it has spread rapidly northward. Mines cause silvery blotches on leaves.
Did You Know?
First recorded in Britain in 1989 and spread across the country within a decade on planted pyracantha hedges.
Numata Longwing
A remarkable butterfly that exists in over a dozen wing pattern forms, each mimicking a different species of toxic Melinaea butterfly. Despite their different appearances, all forms belong to the same species. Wing pattern variation is controlled by a supergene on a single chromosome.
Did You Know?
Its wing pattern diversity is controlled by a chromosomal inversion that acts as a supergene, one of the best-studied examples of this genetic mechanism.