Paradise Birdwing vs Asian Mud Dauber

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Paradise Birdwing Asian Mud Dauber
Scientific Name Ornithoptera paradisea Sceliphron curvatum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Sphecidae
Size 120-170 mm wingspan 15-25 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Oceania (Papua New Guinea) Central Asia, Europe
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Paradise Birdwing

A spectacular birdwing butterfly endemic to Papua New Guinea, notable for the elongated tails on the male's hindwings. Males display brilliant green and gold colouration. It is found in lowland and hill forests.

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Did You Know?

The male's long hindwing tails trail behind in flight, creating a spectacularly graceful display reminiscent of a bird of paradise.

Asian Mud Dauber

A dark-bodied mud dauber originally from Central Asia now invasive across Europe. It builds mud nests inside buildings and provisions them with spiders.

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Did You Know?

It spread from its native range in India and Central Asia to colonize most of southern and central Europe within just 30 years.