Emerald Swallowtail vs Western Spruce Budworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emerald Swallowtail | Western Spruce Budworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio palinurus | Choristoneura occidentalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Tortricidae |
| Size | 80-100 mm wingspan | 22-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Western Spruce Budworm
A major defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Repeated defoliation leads to growth loss and tree mortality.
Did You Know?
Fire suppression has increased susceptibility of western forests to budworm outbreaks.