Palamedes Swallowtail vs Mountain Net-Winged Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Palamedes Swallowtail Mountain Net-Winged Midge
Scientific Name Papilio palamedes Blepharicera capitata
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Papilionidae Blephariceridae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 7-11 mm
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Southeastern United States coastal plain North America
Conservation Least Concern; threatened by laurel wilt disease k Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

The spread of laurel wilt fungus, which kills red bay trees, now threatens this butterfly across much of its range.

Mountain Net-Winged Midge

A large net-winged midge of Appalachian mountain streams. Larvae require extremely clean, well-oxygenated water flowing over smooth bedrock.

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Did You Know?

Females of some Blepharicera species are predatory on other small flies, catching them with their raptorial mouthparts.