Black Swallowtail vs Common Yellowjacket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Swallowtail | Common Yellowjacket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio polyxenes | Vespula vulgaris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 69-84 mm wingspan | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, North America, Australasia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Black Swallowtail
Black butterfly with yellow spot bands and blue hindwing patches; orange and black eyespot on each hindwing. Common in gardens across eastern North America.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars extend a foul-smelling orange forked organ called an osmeterium when threatened.
Common Yellowjacket
An aggressive social wasp with bold black and yellow markings that builds large underground paper nests. Workers are voracious predators of garden pest insects including caterpillars and flies.
Did You Know?
A single colony can consume an estimated 2 kg of insects over a summer, providing significant pest control.