Common Birdwing vs Silver Y

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Birdwing Silver Y
Scientific Name Troides helena Autographa gamma
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Noctuidae
Size Wingspan 140-190mm 35-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Asia Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Birdwing

A large birdwing butterfly with velvety black forewings and bright golden-yellow hindwings in males. Females are larger and browner.

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Did You Know?

Despite being common it is listed under CITES Appendix II which regulates its international trade.

Silver Y

A migratory moth marked with a bright silvery Y or gamma symbol on each forewing. Billions migrate northward across Europe each spring in one of nature's great insect movements.

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Did You Know?

Radar studies revealed that up to 250 million Silver Y moths cross into Britain in a single summer.