Common Windmill vs Duke of Burgundy

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Windmill Duke of Burgundy
Scientific Name Byasa polyeuctes Hamearis lucina
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Riodinidae
Size Wingspan 80-100 mm 29-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions China, India, Nepal, Myanmar Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (declining regionally)

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.

Duke of Burgundy

A small, chequered brown and orange butterfly and Europe's only member of the metalmark family. It has declined significantly due to habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common name suggesting a fritillary, it belongs to an entirely different family.