Chinese Windmill vs Agave Snout Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Windmill Agave Snout Weevil
Scientific Name Atrophaneura alcinous Scyphophorus acupunctatus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Papilionidae Curculionidae
Size Wingspan 75-100mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Asia Mexico, Southwestern United States, Mediterranean (invasive)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chinese Windmill

A dark swallowtail butterfly with crimson patches on the hindwings and a slow fluttering flight. The body is red indicating toxicity.

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Did You Know?

Its slow fluttering flight resembles a windmill and advertises its toxicity acquired from poisonous aristolochia plants.

Agave Snout Weevil

A large, black weevil that attacks agave and yucca plants by boring into the base. It can destroy entire agave plantations used for tequila production.

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Did You Know?

Infestations of this weevil have threatened Mexico's tequila industry by killing the blue agave plants used to make the spirit.