Police Car Swallowtail vs Alpine Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Police Car Swallowtail | Alpine Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Graphium policenes | Bombus alpinus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Apidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast) | Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula, Ural Mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Police Car Swallowtail
A striking swallowtail butterfly with black wings covered in small pale green spots resembling a police car's livery. It has short hindwing tails and a rapid, darting flight. Common in forest areas throughout its range.
Did You Know?
Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.
Alpine Bumblebee
A large bumblebee with distinctive orange-red tail and dark body covered in dense fur. It is found at high elevations in Scandinavian mountains. Colonies are small due to the short growing season.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee has been observed foraging at altitudes exceeding 2000 meters in Scandinavia where few other pollinators venture.