Police Car Swallowtail vs Ectatomma Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Police Car Swallowtail Ectatomma Ant
Scientific Name Graphium policenes Ectatomma tuberculatum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Formicidae
Size 60-75 mm wingspan 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast) Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.

Ectatomma Ant

A large, heavily sculptured neotropical ant with a powerful sting and distinctive tuberculate body. It is a common ground-foraging predator in Central and South American forests.

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Did You Know?

Workers are used as biological control agents in cacao plantations where they prey on pest insects.