Schaus Swallowtail vs Amazonian Dagger Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Schaus Swallowtail Amazonian Dagger Moth
Scientific Name Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus Lophocampa citrina
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Erebidae
Size 83-95 mm wingspan 35-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Predators
Regions Florida Keys, United States Mexico through Brazil, Argentina
Conservation Endangered Not Evaluated

Schaus Swallowtail

A dark swallowtail with yellow bands and rusty-brown hindwing patches restricted to hardwood hammocks of the Florida Keys. It is one of the most endangered butterflies in the United States.

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Did You Know?

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992 nearly wiped out the species, a captive breeding program at the University of Florida saved it from extinction.

Amazonian Dagger Moth

A yellow and brown spotted tiger moth common in Neotropical forests. Its densely hairy caterpillars are conspicuously colored to warn predators.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar's dense hair tufts can cause skin irritation in humans, serving as an effective mechanical defense.