Emerald Swallowtail vs Malabar Large White
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emerald Swallowtail | Malabar Large White |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio palinurus | Pieris brassicae mahometana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 80-100 mm wingspan | 55-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) | Western Ghats, India |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Emerald Swallowtail
A stunning swallowtail butterfly with broad bands of emerald green on black wings. The green color is produced by yellow and blue structural layers overlapping. It has graceful spatulate tails on the hindwings.
Did You Know?
The emerald green color is actually an optical illusion created by alternating layers of yellow and blue on the wing scales.
Malabar Large White
A rare subspecies of the Large White butterfly endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Found only in high-altitude forests. Threatened by habitat degradation.
Did You Know?
A high-altitude relict population isolated in the Western Ghats since the last ice age.