Red Helen vs Magpie Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Helen | Magpie Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio helenus | Abraxas grossulariata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 110-140 mm wingspan | 38-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos) | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red Helen
A large, elegant swallowtail butterfly with black wings marked by large creamy-white patches on the hindwings and red crescents along the hindwing margin. It has a slow, sailing flight.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar has an osmeterium, a bright orange forked organ behind the head that releases a foul smell to deter predators.
Magpie Moth
A conspicuous white moth with bold black spots and an orange-yellow band across the wings. It played a historic role in the discovery of sex-linked inheritance.
Did You Know?
Leonard Doncaster's experiments on this moth in 1906 provided early evidence for sex-linked genetics.