Paris Peacock vs Water Boatman

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Paris Peacock Water Boatman
Scientific Name Papilio paris Corixa punctata
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Papilionidae Corixidae
Size 90-120 mm wingspan 6-10 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions South and Southeast Asia, southern China Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Paris Peacock

A magnificent large swallowtail with velvety black wings bearing a large iridescent blue-green patch on each hindwing that changes color with viewing angle. It frequents forest canopies.

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Did You Know?

The shimmering blue-green patch on the hindwing is produced by nanoscale concavities in the wing scales that act like tiny mirrors.

Water Boatman

A small, oval aquatic bug with oar-like hind legs fringed with swimming hairs. Unlike most aquatic bugs, water boatmen are primarily herbivores that scrape algae from underwater surfaces.

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Did You Know?

Male water boatmen produce the loudest sound relative to body size of any animal on Earth, singing at 99 decibels by rubbing a ridge on their genitalia against their abdomen.