African Giant Swallowtail vs Scotch Argus

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Giant Swallowtail Scotch Argus
Scientific Name Papilio antimachus Erebia aethiops
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Nymphalidae
Size 180-250 mm wingspan 40-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Africa Europe, temperate Asia
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.

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Did You Know?

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

Scotch Argus

A dark brown butterfly with russet-orange bands containing eyespots, found in northern grasslands and light woodland. It flies in a bouncing manner close to the ground.

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Did You Know?

In Britain, it is confined to Scotland and a single colony in the Lake District surviving since the last ice age.