Eastern Tiger Swallowtail vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Tiger Swallowtail | Chinese Aquatic Firefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio glaucus | Aquatica ficta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Lampyridae |
| Size | 79-140 mm wingspan | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | China |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
A large yellow butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and blue and orange markings on the hindwing margins. Females can occur in a dark morph mimicking the toxic pipevine swallowtail.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar has large false eyespots and can evert an orange forked gland called an osmeterium that emits a foul smell to deter predators.
Chinese Aquatic Firefly
A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus Aquatica, erected specifically for water-dwelling lampyrids.
Did You Know?
Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.