Citrus Swallowtail vs Meadow Brown

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Citrus Swallowtail	Meadow Brown
Scientific Name	Papilio demodocus	Maniola jurtina
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Papilionidae	Nymphalidae
Size	90-120 mm wingspan	Wingspan 40-55mm
Habitat	Orchards	Grasslands
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Herbivores
Regions	Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar	Europe
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Citrus Swallowtail

A common large swallowtail with cream and black patterned wings and blue-red eyespots on the hindwings. It is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa.

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Caterpillars have a forked orange osmeterium they inflate from behind their head to deter predators with a foul smell.

The most abundant butterfly in Britain, a brown species with a single eyespot on each forewing.

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So common it is often overlooked but plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers in grasslands.