Spruce Beetle vs Southern Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Beetle Southern Birdwing
Scientific Name Dendroctonus rufipennis Troides minos
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Curculionidae Papilionidae
Size 4-7 mm 140-190 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Alaska, western Canada, and the Rocky Mountain states South Asia (India, endemic to the Western Ghats)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spruce Beetle

A dark brown to black bark beetle that is the primary killer of mature spruce trees in North America. Outbreaks are triggered by drought, windthrow, or warming temperatures.

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Did You Know?

A single outbreak in Alaska during the 1990s killed spruce trees across more than one million acres.

Southern Birdwing

India's largest butterfly, with a striking black and bright yellow color scheme. Males display velvety black forewings and brilliant golden-yellow hindwings, while females are larger with more subdued markings.

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Did You Know?

The Southern Birdwing is the largest butterfly in India and holds a majestic, soaring flight pattern similar to a bird.