Sinai Baton Blue vs Emerald Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sinai Baton Blue Emerald Swallowtail
Scientific Name Pseudophilotes sinaicus Papilio palinurus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Papilionidae
Size 1-1.5 cm wingspan 80-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Egypt South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru)
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Sinai Baton Blue

The smallest butterfly in the world by wingspan, found only in the Sinai Peninsula. It depends on a single plant species, Sinai thyme.

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Did You Know?

Its entire world range covers less than 5 square kilometers of mountainous desert.

Emerald Swallowtail

A stunning swallowtail butterfly with broad bands of emerald green on black wings. The green color is produced by yellow and blue structural layers overlapping. It has graceful spatulate tails on the hindwings.

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Did You Know?

The emerald green color is actually an optical illusion created by alternating layers of yellow and blue on the wing scales.