Spicebush Swallowtail vs Blackberry Leaf Miner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spicebush Swallowtail Blackberry Leaf Miner
Scientific Name Papilio troilus Metallus pumilus
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Tenthredinidae
Size Wingspan 90-130mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spicebush Swallowtail

A dark swallowtail butterfly with blue-green hindwing scaling and orange spots. Its caterpillar has large false eyespots making it resemble a small snake.

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Did You Know?

The young caterpillar mimics a bird dropping while the older caterpillar switches to mimicking a green tree snake.

Blackberry Leaf Miner

A tiny, dark metallic sawfly whose larvae create blotch mines in blackberry and raspberry leaves. Mined areas turn brown and papery.

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Did You Know?

Despite their tiny size, heavy infestations can mine nearly every leaf on a blackberry bush, significantly reducing fruit yield.