Small Apollo vs Cinnabar Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Apollo | Cinnabar Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parnassius phoebus | Tyria jacobaeae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 50-60 mm wingspan | 32-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Meadows | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central Europe | Europe, central Asia (introduced to Australasia and Americas) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Apollo
A high-altitude alpine butterfly with translucent white wings bearing small red and black spots. It flies weakly over alpine meadows and scree slopes above the treeline.
Did You Know?
It only occurs above the treeline in the Alps and is one of Europe's highest-altitude butterflies.
Cinnabar Moth
A day-flying moth with charcoal-black wings marked with crimson-red stripes and spots. It has been deliberately introduced worldwide as a biological control agent for ragwort.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars store toxic alkaloids from ragwort, making them so distasteful that birds learn to avoid them.