South American Luna Moth vs Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Luna Moth Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail
Scientific Name Copaxa lavendera Papilio protenor
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Papilionidae
Size 90-120 mm wingspan 80-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Gardens
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia East Asia, Japan/Korea
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

South American Luna Moth

A silkmoth with soft lavender-brown wings and prominent rounded eyespots. Its feathery antennae can detect female pheromones from great distances.

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Did You Know?

Males can detect a single molecule of female pheromone from over a kilometer away using their elaborate feathered antennae.

Japanese Spicebush Swallowtail

A striking all-black swallowtail known as 'kuro-ageha' in Japanese. The hindwings have subtle red and blue markings. Common in wooded areas and gardens across Japan and Korea.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars of this species have a remarkable snake-mimicry defense, with large eyespots on their thorax that resemble a snake's head.