Schaus Swallowtail vs Doris Longwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Schaus Swallowtail | Doris Longwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus | Heliconius doris |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 83-95 mm wingspan | 65-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Florida Keys, United States | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Doris Longwing
A highly variable Heliconius butterfly that occurs in multiple color forms including blue, red, and green morphs. All forms share the same basic wing shape but differ dramatically in color pattern. It inhabits the understory of dense tropical forests.
Did You Know?
A single population can contain blue, red, and green color morphs, all controlled by a single genetic switch, making it a model for studying wing pattern evolution.