Long-tailed Blue vs African Giant Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-tailed Blue African Giant Swallowtail
Scientific Name Lampides boeticus Papilio antimachus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Papilionidae
Size 24-34 mm wingspan 180-250 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Long-tailed Blue

A small pale violet-blue butterfly with thin hairlike tails on the hindwings and prominent false eyespots near them. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world.

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Did You Know?

The false head pattern on the hindwing tails tricks predators into attacking the wrong end of the butterfly.

African Giant Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in Africa with a wingspan of up to 250 mm. It flies at great heights in the canopy and is rarely seen by casual observers.

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Did You Know?

It is believed to be toxic to predators and is one of the few butterflies that has no known mimics.