White-letter Hairstreak vs Angola White Lady Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-letter Hairstreak Angola White Lady Swallowtail
Scientific Name Satyrium w-album Graphium angolanus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Papilionidae
Size Wingspan 26-30mm 70-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Hedgerows Woodlands
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ghana)
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.

Angola White Lady Swallowtail

A large swallowtail with black-and-white banded wings and a distinctive tail on each hindwing. It is a strong flier found in woodland and forest-savanna mosaic. Males are attracted to wet soil.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly can fly long distances between forest patches, helping to maintain genetic connectivity among fragmented populations.