Green-banded Swallowtail vs Teak Defoliator Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Green-banded Swallowtail | Teak Defoliator Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio nireus | Hyblaea puera |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Hyblaeidae |
| Size | 80-100 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Green-banded Swallowtail
A striking black swallowtail with brilliant metallic blue-green bands across both wings. It is a fast flier often seen mud-puddling along rivers.
Did You Know?
Males gather in large numbers at muddy riverbanks to drink mineral-rich water, a behavior called mud-puddling.
Teak Defoliator Moth
A medium-sized moth with orange-brown forewings and bright orange hindwings bordered in black. Its caterpillars are the most devastating defoliators of teak plantations across South Asia, stripping trees bare.
Did You Know?
During outbreak years, entire teak forests turn brown as millions of caterpillars strip every leaf, though the trees typically refoliate.