Palamedes Swallowtail vs Black Cutworm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palamedes Swallowtail | Black Cutworm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio palamedes | Agrotis ipsilon |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 100-130 mm wingspan | 40-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Indoors |
| Diet | Omnivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States coastal plain | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k | Not Evaluated |
Palamedes Swallowtail
A large dark swallowtail of southern swamp forests with yellow bands and a distinctive yellow postmedial stripe on the hindwing underside. It has a slow, sailing flight through the forest understory.
Did You Know?
The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.
Black Cutworm
A dull brown moth whose soil-dwelling caterpillars sever young seedlings at ground level during the night. It is a cosmopolitan pest that migrates long distances.
Did You Know?
Cutworm caterpillars curl into a C-shape when disturbed, a diagnostic behavior for identifying them in soil.