Swallowtail Butterfly vs Long-tailed Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Swallowtail Butterfly | Long-tailed Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio machaon | Lampides boeticus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 65-86 mm wingspan | 24-34 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
| 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.
Long-tailed Blue
A small pale violet-blue butterfly with thin hairlike tails on the hindwings and prominent false eyespots near them. It is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world.
Did You Know?
The false head pattern on the hindwing tails tricks predators into attacking the wrong end of the butterfly.