Spicebush Swallowtail vs Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spicebush Swallowtail | Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio troilus | Malacosoma americanum |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Lasiocampidae |
| Size | Wingspan 90-130mm | 25–38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Did You Know?
The young caterpillar mimics a bird dropping while the older caterpillar switches to mimicking a green tree snake.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth
A common moth whose caterpillars build conspicuous silk tents in the forks of cherry and apple trees. Colonies cooperate to build and expand their communal shelter.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars lay silk trail pheromones to guide nestmates to the best feeding sites on the tree.