Malabar Banded Peacock vs Honey Pot Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Malabar Banded Peacock | Honey Pot Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio buddha | Myrmecocystus mexicanus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 90-120 mm wingspan | 5-15 mm (repletes up to 25 mm swollen) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, endemic to the Western Ghats) | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Malabar Banded Peacock
A striking swallowtail endemic to the Western Ghats with broad green bands across dark wings. Males congregate at mud puddles and stream banks in large numbers during the monsoon season.
Did You Know?
This is the state butterfly of Kerala and is found exclusively in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
Honey Pot Ant
Certain workers called repletes serve as living food storage vessels. They hang from the ceiling, gorged with honey and nectar until their abdomens swell to the size of grapes.
Did You Know?
Replete workers become living pantries — they hang motionless from the ceiling, swollen to the size of grapes, and regurgitate stored honey on demand to feed the colony.