Clipper Butterfly vs American Scorpionfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Clipper Butterfly | American Scorpionfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parthenos sylvia | Panorpa nuptialis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Mecoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Panorpidae |
| Size | 90-110 mm wingspan | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam) | Southeastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Clipper Butterfly
A powerful gliding butterfly with broad wings marked in pale blue-green, brown, and white. It has a distinctive sailing flight style, gliding on stiffly held wings between trees.
Did You Know?
It exists in multiple color forms across its range, with wing colors varying from bluish-green to honey-brown in different regions.
American Scorpionfly
A large scorpionfly found in the southeastern United States with prominent wing spots. Males engage in elaborate courtship rituals involving nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
This species was key to discovering that nuptial gift-giving in scorpionflies helps males avoid being eaten by females.