Giant Swallowtail vs Lesser Banded Hornet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Swallowtail Lesser Banded Hornet
Scientific Name Papilio cresphontes Vespa affinis
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Vespidae
Size 100-160 mm wingspan 22-30 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions North America, Central America South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in North America with dark brown wings crossed by yellow bands. Larvae resemble bird droppings for camouflage.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars are called Orange Dogs because they can be pests in citrus orchards.

Lesser Banded Hornet

A medium-sized hornet with a dark body and bright orange-yellow abdominal bands. It builds large aerial nests in trees and on buildings throughout tropical Asia.

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Did You Know?

Its aerial nests can grow to the size of a basketball and house several thousand workers.