Chinese Windmill vs Essex Skipper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chinese Windmill | Essex Skipper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atrophaneura alcinous | Thymelicus lineola |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Hesperiidae |
| Size | Wingspan 75-100mm | 26-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Asia | Europe, western Asia (introduced to North America) |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its slow fluttering flight resembles a windmill and advertises its toxicity acquired from poisonous aristolochia plants.
Essex Skipper
A small orange-brown skipper so similar to the small skipper that it was not recognised as a separate British species until 1889. The undersides of its antenna tips are black, not orange.
Did You Know?
It was overlooked in Britain for over a century because it was confused with the nearly identical small skipper.