Neotropical Blue Hairstreak vs Emperor Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak | Emperor Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudolycaena marsyas | Papilio ophidicephalus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.
Emperor Swallowtail
South Africa's largest butterfly with bold black and yellow-green markings. Its caterpillar mimics a bird dropping in early instars.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's head bears false eyespots that make it resemble a small snake to deter predators.