Japanese Yellow Swallowtail vs Spicebush Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Yellow Swallowtail | Spicebush Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio machaon hippocrates | Papilio troilus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 70-90 mm wingspan | Wingspan 90-130mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | East Asia, Japan | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Yellow Swallowtail
The Japanese subspecies of the Old World swallowtail, known as 'ki-ageha.' A large and elegant butterfly with bright yellow wings marked with black patterns and blue hindwing spots.
Did You Know?
This butterfly engages in 'hilltopping' behavior, where males fly to hilltops and ridges to establish territories and wait for females.
Spicebush Swallowtail
A dark swallowtail butterfly with blue-green hindwing scaling and orange spots. Its caterpillar has large false eyespots making it resemble a small snake.
Did You Know?
The young caterpillar mimics a bird dropping while the older caterpillar switches to mimicking a green tree snake.