Snout Moth vs Homerus Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snout Moth Homerus Swallowtail
Scientific Name Vitessa suradeva Papilio homerus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pyralidae Papilionidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 130-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Southeast Asia Jamaica (Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains only)
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Snout Moth

A large pyralid moth from Southeast Asia and New Guinea whose caterpillars spin webs on young leaves of poisonous shrubs. Adults have elongated labial palps forming a 'snout'.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars can tolerate feeding on toxic plants that would kill most other moth species.

Homerus Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in the Americas, with a wingspan reaching 150 mm and bold black and yellow patterning. It is endemic to Jamaica and restricted to two mountain ranges.

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Did You Know?

Fewer than an estimated 500 adults exist in the wild, confined to shrinking patches of Jamaican mountain forest.