Swallowtail Butterfly vs Flower Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Swallowtail Butterfly | Flower Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio machaon | Cerceris rybyensis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 65-86 mm wingspan | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Swallowtail Butterfly
Elegant butterfly with yellow wings marked with black veins and blue-red eyespots on hindwings. The tail extensions on hindwings divert predator attacks from the body.
Did You Know?
Swallowtail caterpillars have a hidden orange forked organ called an osmeterium that they pop out from behind their head when threatened, releasing a foul smell.
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.