Figure of Eight Moth vs Palamedes Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Figure of Eight Moth Palamedes Swallowtail
Scientific Name Diloba caeruleocephala Papilio palamedes
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Papilionidae
Size 35-40 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Southeastern United States coastal plain
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k

Figure of Eight Moth

Named for the figure-of-eight marking on its grey forewing, this autumn-flying moth is often found at ivy blossom. Its caterpillar is blue-grey with yellow stripes.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few moths that flies and breeds in late autumn when most species have already ended their season.

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.

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Did You Know?

The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.