Common Windmill vs Sweetheart Underwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Windmill Sweetheart Underwing
Scientific Name Byasa polyeuctes Catocala amatrix
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Erebidae
Size Wingspan 80-100 mm 75-95 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions China, India, Nepal, Myanmar Eastern North America from southern Canada to the southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Sweetheart Underwing

A large underwing moth with mottled gray-brown forewings and rosy-pink hindwings crossed by black bands. It is one of the most attractive members of the underwing genus.

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Did You Know?

Its scientific name amatrix means 'sweetheart' in Latin, referring to the rosy-pink color of its hidden hindwings.