Southwestern Corn Borer vs Paradise Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southwestern Corn Borer Paradise Birdwing
Scientific Name Diatraea grandiosella Ornithoptera paradisea
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Papilionidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan 120-170 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern United States, Mexico Oceania (Papua New Guinea)
Conservation Not Evaluated Vulnerable

Southwestern Corn Borer

A pale moth whose larvae bore into corn stalks and girdle stems from the inside, causing extensive lodging. It is a major corn pest in the southern Great Plains of the United States.

💡

Did You Know?

Overwintering larvae girdle the corn stalk from the inside, deliberately weakening it so the stalk falls and provides insulated shelter.

Paradise Birdwing

A spectacular birdwing butterfly endemic to Papua New Guinea, notable for the elongated tails on the male's hindwings. Males display brilliant green and gold colouration. It is found in lowland and hill forests.

💡

Did You Know?

The male's long hindwing tails trail behind in flight, creating a spectacularly graceful display reminiscent of a bird of paradise.