Great Helen vs Clouded Apollo

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Helen Clouded Apollo
Scientific Name Papilio iswara Parnassius mnemosyne
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Papilionidae
Size 120-150 mm wingspan 52-62 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Thailand, Myanmar) Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Great Helen

A large, elegant swallowtail with dark velvety black wings bearing a broad white band across the hindwings and blue submarginal spots. The hindwings have distinctive spatulate tails.

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Did You Know?

Males are often seen mud-puddling in large groups along forest streams, sometimes alongside dozens of other swallowtail species.

Clouded Apollo

A delicate, semi-translucent white butterfly with dark wing veins and small dark spots. It flies slowly through woodland clearings in late spring.

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Did You Know?

Its translucent wings lack the typical scales found on most butterflies, giving them a ghostly appearance.