Palamedes Swallowtail vs Varied Carpet Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palamedes Swallowtail | Varied Carpet Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio palamedes | Anthrenus verbasci |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Dermestidae |
| Size | 100-130 mm wingspan | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| 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.
Varied Carpet Beetle
A tiny, round beetle with mottled white, brown, and yellow scales on its elytra. It is a worldwide pest of natural fiber collections.
Did You Know?
Museum curators consider it one of the greatest threats to insect specimen collections.