Pipevine Swallowtail vs Silver Y
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pipevine Swallowtail | Silver Y |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Battus philenor | Autographa gamma |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 70-110 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America from southern Canada to Mexico | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| 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.
Silver Y
A migratory moth marked with a bright silvery Y or gamma symbol on each forewing. Billions migrate northward across Europe each spring in one of nature's great insect movements.
Did You Know?
Radar studies revealed that up to 250 million Silver Y moths cross into Britain in a single summer.