Southern Dogface vs Madagascan Giant Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Dogface Madagascan Giant Swallowtail
Scientific Name Zerene cesonia Pharmacophagus antenor
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pieridae Papilionidae
Size 46-64 mm wingspan 100-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America, South America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Dogface

Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.

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Did You Know?

The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.

Madagascan Giant Swallowtail

A large black swallowtail butterfly with red and white markings, endemic to Madagascar. It is the island's largest butterfly species.

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Did You Know?

Larvae sequester toxic aristolochic acids from their host plant, making them unpalatable to birds.