Common Windmill vs Appalachian Springfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Windmill Appalachian Springfly
Scientific Name Byasa polyeuctes Remenus bilobatus
Order Lepidoptera Plecoptera
Family Papilionidae Perlodidae
Size Wingspan 80-100 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions China, India, Nepal, Myanmar North America
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Common Windmill

A black swallowtail with red body spots and white-patched hindwings that flutter in a distinctive windmill pattern. It flies slowly and confidently due to its toxicity.

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Did You Know?

Its slow, meandering flight advertises its toxic body chemistry to potential predators.

Appalachian Springfly

A rare springfly restricted to a few clean Appalachian headwater streams. Nymphs are predatory on small invertebrates among gravel substrates.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely limited range makes it one of the rarest stonefly species in North America.