Old Lady Moth vs Corsican Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Old Lady Moth Corsican Swallowtail
Scientific Name Mormo maura Papilio hospiton
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae Papilionidae
Size 60-75 mm wingspan 68-76 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Italy)
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Old Lady Moth

A large, sombre dark-brown moth whose wing pattern was thought to resemble a shawl worn by elderly women. It hides in dark places by day, including outbuildings and cellars.

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Did You Know?

It is frequently found roosting in garden sheds and churches during the daytime in summer.

Corsican Swallowtail

A large swallowtail endemic to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia with heavily patterned black and yellow wings. It is one of Europe's most threatened butterflies.

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Did You Know?

It can hybridize with the common swallowtail where their ranges overlap, producing fertile hybrid offspring.