Pipevine Swallowtail vs Green Dock Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pipevine Swallowtail | Green Dock Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Battus philenor | Gastrophysa viridula |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 70-110 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America from southern Canada to Mexico | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pipevine Swallowtail
A dark swallowtail with brilliant iridescent blue hindwings and an orange-spotted underside. Its toxicity from Aristolochia host plants makes it the model for several mimicry complexes.
Did You Know?
At least five other butterfly species mimic its appearance to gain protection from predators.
Green Dock Beetle
A small, brilliant metallic green beetle that feeds on dock and sorrel plants. Gravid females have enormously swollen abdomens.
Did You Know?
A female's abdomen can swell to several times its normal size when full of eggs, dwarfing the rest of her body.