Common Euphaedra vs Japanese Yellow Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Euphaedra Japanese Yellow Swallowtail
Scientific Name Euphaedra medon Papilio machaon hippocrates
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Papilionidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 70-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Dung Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia) East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Euphaedra

A forest-dwelling butterfly with deep orange-brown wings and distinctive blue-purple iridescent bands. It is one of the most commonly encountered Euphaedra species in West Africa. Males and females differ significantly in pattern.

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Did You Know?

Over 200 species of Euphaedra exist in Africa, making it one of the most species-rich butterfly genera on the continent.

Japanese Yellow Swallowtail

The Japanese subspecies of the Old World swallowtail, known as 'ki-ageha.' A large and elegant butterfly with bright yellow wings marked with black patterns and blue hindwing spots.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly engages in 'hilltopping' behavior, where males fly to hilltops and ridges to establish territories and wait for females.