Harvester Butterfly vs Four-barred Swordtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Harvester Butterfly | Four-barred Swordtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Feniseca tarquinius | Protographium leosthenes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 28-33 mm wingspan | 6-7 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Australia, Papua New Guinea |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Harvester Butterfly
The only carnivorous butterfly in North America, whose caterpillar feeds on woolly aphids rather than plants. Adults are small and orange-brown with dark spotting.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar camouflages itself with the waxy white filaments of its aphid prey while feeding.
Four-barred Swordtail
A distinctive swallowtail with translucent wings crossed by four dark bars and a long sword-like tail. It has a rapid, darting flight pattern.
Did You Know?
Its nearly transparent wings make it extremely difficult to spot in dappled rainforest light.