Japanese Antlion vs Palamedes Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Antlion Palamedes Swallowtail
Scientific Name Hagenomyia micans Papilio palamedes
Order Neuroptera Lepidoptera
Family Myrmeleontidae Papilionidae
Size 60-80 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Japan, Korea, Eastern China Southeastern United States coastal plain
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k

Japanese Antlion

A large East Asian antlion with glossy wings and a robust body. A familiar summer insect across Japan attracted to artificial lights.

💡

Did You Know?

In Japanese folklore, antlion larvae are called 'arijigoku' meaning 'ant hell.'

Palamedes Swallowtail

A large dark swallowtail of southern swamp forests with yellow bands and a distinctive yellow postmedial stripe on the hindwing underside. It has a slow, sailing flight through the forest understory.

💡

Did You Know?

The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.