Hairy Wood Ant vs Giant Blue Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy Wood Ant | Giant Blue Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Formica lugubris | Papilio zalmoxis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 4-8 mm | 140-170 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Ghana) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hairy Wood Ant
A large mound-building ant of upland coniferous forests with noticeably hairy body surfaces. It forms polydomous colonies with multiple interconnected nests.
Did You Know?
A supercolony in the Swiss Jura mountains contained over 1,200 interconnected nests spanning 70 hectares.
Giant Blue Swallowtail
One of the largest and most spectacular butterflies in Africa, with a wingspan exceeding 150 mm. The wings are brilliant pale blue with dark margins. It is a powerful flier that inhabits the canopy of primary rainforests.
Did You Know?
This magnificent butterfly rarely descends below 20 meters, spending most of its life soaring through the forest canopy.