Six-spot Burnet vs Giant Swallowtail of the Andes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Six-spot Burnet | Giant Swallowtail of the Andes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zygaena filipendulae | Papilio thoas |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Zygaenidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 110-140 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Six-spot Burnet
A day-flying moth with metallic blue-black forewings bearing six crimson spots. Its bright colours warn predators of its cyanide-based chemical defences.
Did You Know?
Both the larvae and adults contain hydrogen cyanide, making them highly toxic to predators.
Giant Swallowtail of the Andes
One of the largest swallowtail butterflies in South America, with bold yellow and black striped wings and long tail streamers. It is a powerful flier that ranges from sea level to over 2000 m in the Andes. Larvae mimic bird droppings as a defense mechanism.
Did You Know?
When threatened, the caterpillar everts a bright red forked organ called an osmeterium from behind its head, releasing a foul-smelling chemical.