Police Car Swallowtail vs Round-winged Muslin Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Police Car Swallowtail Round-winged Muslin Moth
Scientific Name Graphium policenes Thumatha senex
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Erebidae
Size 60-75 mm wingspan 18-24 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast) Europe, Western Asia
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.

Round-winged Muslin Moth

A tiny moth with rounded translucent whitish wings marked with faint grey spots. It is among the smallest of the footman moths in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its translucent wings are so thin that text can be read through them.