Canary Islands Large White Butterfly vs Giant Swallowtail of the Andes

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Canary Islands Large White Butterfly Giant Swallowtail of the Andes
Scientific Name Pieris cheiranthi Papilio thoas
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Papilionidae
Size 55-65 mm wingspan 110-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Canary Islands South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia)
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Canary Islands Large White Butterfly

A large white butterfly endemic to the Canary Islands with prominent dark wing markings. It is found in laurel forests on several islands.

💡

Did You Know?

It is restricted to shrinking patches of ancient laurel forest that once covered much of Europe.

Giant Swallowtail of the Andes

One of the largest swallowtail butterflies in South America, with bold yellow and black striped wings and long tail streamers. It is a powerful flier that ranges from sea level to over 2000 m in the Andes. Larvae mimic bird droppings as a defense mechanism.

💡

Did You Know?

When threatened, the caterpillar everts a bright red forked organ called an osmeterium from behind its head, releasing a foul-smelling chemical.