Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail vs Giant Peacock Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail | Giant Peacock Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio protenor | Saturnia pyri |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 80-120 mm wingspan | 120-160 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan/Korea | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail
A striking all-black swallowtail known as 'kuro-ageha' in Japanese. The hindwings have subtle red and blue markings. Common in wooded areas and gardens across Japan and Korea.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars of this species have a remarkable snake-mimicry defense, with large eyespots on their thorax that resemble a snake's head.
Giant Peacock Moth
Europe's largest moth, with a wingspan up to 16 cm and prominent eyespots on all four wings. Its brown-gray wings are bordered with white and feature a distinctive dark comma-shaped mark.
Did You Know?
Jean-Henri Fabre used the giant peacock moth in his famous pheromone experiments in the 1870s, demonstrating that male moths could locate females from great distances by scent alone.