White-letter Hairstreak vs Tailed Jay

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-letter Hairstreak Tailed Jay
Scientific Name Satyrium w-album Graphium agamemnon
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Papilionidae
Size Wingspan 26-30mm Wingspan 80-100mm
Habitat Hedgerows Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Asia, Oceania
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.

Tailed Jay

A fast-flying black swallowtail butterfly covered with spots of green or blue-green. It rarely settles and is constantly in motion.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few butterflies that flaps its wings even while feeding on flowers never fully stopping.