Great Mormon vs Xyelid Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Mormon | Xyelid Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio memnon | Xyela julii |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Xyelidae |
| Size | Wingspan 120-150mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Mormon
A large swallowtail butterfly where females come in multiple dramatically different forms mimicking various toxic butterfly species. Males are uniformly dark.
Did You Know?
Females exist in over 20 different color forms each mimicking a different toxic butterfly species for protection.
Xyelid Sawfly
A tiny, delicate sawfly with a characteristic elongated third antennal segment. It is one of the most primitive living Hymenoptera, with fossils dating back to the Triassic.
Did You Know?
Xyelidae is the oldest extant family of Hymenoptera, with fossils known from over 200 million years ago.