Orchard Swallowtail vs Moorhen Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Orchard Swallowtail

A large black swallowtail where females display white and red markings mimicking toxic butterflies. Males are mostly black with a row of pale spots.

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Its caterpillars resemble bird droppings when young, providing excellent camouflage from predators.

A flea commonly found on small passerine birds including tits, wrens, and robins. It breeds in bird nesting boxes and natural cavities.

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This flea is so common in European bird nest boxes that ornithologists routinely find them when checking boxes during the breeding season.