Common Rose Swallowtail vs Orchard Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Rose Swallowtail Orchard Swallowtail
Scientific Name Pachliopta aristolochiae Papilio aegeus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Papilionidae
Size Wingspan 80-110 mm 9-12 cm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions India, Sri Lanka, China, Southeast Asia Australia, Papua New Guinea
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Rose Swallowtail

A striking black and crimson swallowtail butterfly common across South and Southeast Asia. Its body contains toxins sequestered from Aristolochia host plants.

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Did You Know?

Several non-toxic butterfly species mimic its bold red and black warning colors to avoid predators.

Orchard Swallowtail

A large black swallowtail where females display white and red markings mimicking toxic butterflies. Males are mostly black with a row of pale spots.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars resemble bird droppings when young, providing excellent camouflage from predators.