Police Car Swallowtail vs Macrosoma tipulata
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Police Car Swallowtail | Macrosoma tipulata |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Graphium policenes | Macrosoma tipulata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Hedylidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.
Macrosoma tipulata
Slender moth-butterfly with elongated brown-gray wings and long legs. Nocturnal and rarely encountered, attracted to lights.
Did You Know?
Like other hedylids, it can detect bat echolocation and perform evasive aerial maneuvers.