Silver-spotted Ghost Moth vs Police Car Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Silver-spotted Ghost Moth | Police Car Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sthenopis argenteomaculatus | Graphium policenes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 60-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.
Did You Know?
Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.
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.
Did You Know?
Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.