Common Sootywing vs Five-bar Swordtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Sootywing | Five-bar Swordtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pholisora catullus | Graphium antiphates |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm wingspan | 75-100 mm wingspan, tails up to 25 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | United States and southern Canada | Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Sootywing
A very small sooty-black skipper with scattered tiny white spots on the forewings. It is a common but easily overlooked butterfly of disturbed habitats and gardens.
Did You Know?
It thrives in weedy urban areas that most butterflies avoid, making it a true butterfly of the city.
Five-bar Swordtail
An elegant swallowtail with pale creamy-white wings crossed by bold black zebra-like stripes and exceptionally long, narrow sword-shaped tails. It is a swift, darting flier.
Did You Know?
It is one of the fastest-flying butterflies in Southeast Asia and is notoriously difficult to catch due to its erratic zigzag flight pattern.