Homerus Swallowtail vs Underground Army Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Homerus Swallowtail Underground Army Ant
Scientific Name Papilio homerus Labidus coecus
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Formicidae
Size 130-150 mm wingspan 2-7 mm
Habitat Mountains Caves
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Jamaica (Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains only) Southern United States, Central America, South America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Homerus Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in the Americas, with a wingspan reaching 150 mm and bold black and yellow patterning. It is endemic to Jamaica and restricted to two mountain ranges.

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Did You Know?

Fewer than an estimated 500 adults exist in the wild, confined to shrinking patches of Jamaican mountain forest.

Underground Army Ant

A mostly subterranean army ant that occasionally surfaces in massive raiding columns across the Americas. Workers are pale yellow, reflecting their underground lifestyle.

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Did You Know?

They are the most frequently encountered army ants in the Americas but are rarely seen because of their subterranean habits.