African Giant Swallowtail vs Greenland Copper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Giant Swallowtail Greenland Copper
Scientific Name Papilio antimachus Lycaena phlaeas polaris
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Lycaenidae
Size 180-250 mm wingspan 22-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Tundra & Arctic
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Africa Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Scandinavia
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

African Giant Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in Africa with a wingspan of up to 250 mm. It flies at great heights in the canopy and is rarely seen by casual observers.

💡

Did You Know?

It is believed to be toxic to predators and is one of the few butterflies that has no known mimics.

Greenland Copper

The Arctic subspecies of the small copper butterfly, smaller and darker than its temperate counterparts. The forewings are bright copper-orange with dark spots. It is one of few butterflies found in southern Greenland.

💡

Did You Know?

The Greenland population is believed to have survived the last Ice Age in a coastal refugium, making it a true glacial relict.