Samoan Swallowtail vs Small Heath Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Samoan Swallowtail Small Heath Butterfly
Scientific Name Papilio godeffroyi Coenonympha pamphilus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Nymphalidae
Size 70-90 mm wingspan 26-33 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Oceania (Samoa) Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Samoan Swallowtail

A rare and beautiful swallowtail butterfly endemic to Samoa. It has dark wings with pale markings and is found in native forest. It is considered one of the rarest butterflies in the Pacific Islands.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the most isolated swallowtail butterflies in the world, found only on the small islands of Samoa far from any other Papilio population.

Small Heath Butterfly

A small, plain orange-brown butterfly that always rests with its wings closed. It is one of the most widespread grassland butterflies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It never opens its wings when at rest, always keeping the underwing eyespot visible as a predator deflection.