Giant Swallowtail vs Mocker Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Swallowtail Mocker Swallowtail
Scientific Name Papilio cresphontes Papilio dardanus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Papilionidae
Size 100-160 mm wingspan 80-105 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar
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.

Mocker Swallowtail

A remarkable swallowtail where females mimic several different toxic butterfly species while males look completely different. Males are yellow and black with tails.

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Did You Know?

Females can occur in over a dozen different color forms, each mimicking a different toxic butterfly species.