South American Swallowtail vs Zanzibar Blue Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Swallowtail Zanzibar Blue Butterfly
Scientific Name Heraclides thoas Uranothauma crawshayi
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Lycaenidae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 25-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Brazil, Argentina, Central America, southern United States Zanzibar, East African coast
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

South American Swallowtail

A large swallowtail butterfly with black wings bearing bright yellow band patterns and prominent tail extensions. It is a strong, rapid flier.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, its caterpillar extends a bright orange forked organ called an osmeterium that releases a foul smell.

Zanzibar Blue Butterfly

A delicate blue butterfly found on Zanzibar and coastal East Africa. Males have shimmering blue upperwings while females are brown.

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Did You Know?

Larvae are tended by ants that protect them in exchange for honeydew secretions.