Small Apollo vs Helena Gum Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Apollo Helena Gum Moth
Scientific Name Parnassius phoebus Opodiphthera helena
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Saturniidae
Size 50-60 mm wingspan 90-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Meadows Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Central Europe Australia, Oceania
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.

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Did You Know?

It only occurs above the treeline in the Alps and is one of Europe's highest-altitude butterflies.

Helena Gum Moth

A beautiful saturniid moth with pinkish-brown wings marked with bold eyespots. It is found in eucalyptus forests of southeastern Australia and is closely related to the Emperor Gum Moth.

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Did You Know?

Like all saturniid moths, adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage.