Cynthia Moth vs Palamedes Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cynthia Moth | Palamedes Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Samia cynthia | Papilio palamedes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 100-140 mm wingspan | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Native to China and India; introduced to North America and Europe | Southeastern United States coastal plain |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k |
Cynthia Moth
An olive and brown silk moth with distinctive white crescent marks and lilac shading on the wing margins. Originally from Asia, it was widely introduced for eri silk production.
Did You Know?
Feral populations became established in New York City in the 1800s, thriving on the abundant ailanthus trees.
Palamedes Swallowtail
A large dark swallowtail of southern swamp forests with yellow bands and a distinctive yellow postmedial stripe on the hindwing underside. It has a slow, sailing flight through the forest understory.
Did You Know?
The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.