Gold Swift vs Japanese Yellow Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gold Swift | Japanese Yellow Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatopus hecta | Papilio machaon hippocrates |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm wingspan | 70-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Mountains |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | East Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gold Swift
A small primitive moth with golden-brown forewings marked with silvery-white spots. Males perform hovering display flights at dusk, dangling their legs and releasing pheromones.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed underground on bracken roots for two years before pupating in the soil.
Japanese Yellow Swallowtail
The Japanese subspecies of the Old World swallowtail, known as 'ki-ageha.' A large and elegant butterfly with bright yellow wings marked with black patterns and blue hindwing spots.
Did You Know?
This butterfly engages in 'hilltopping' behavior, where males fly to hilltops and ridges to establish territories and wait for females.