Tapestry Moth vs Japanese Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tapestry Moth Japanese Swallowtail
Scientific Name Trichophaga tapetzella Papilio xuthus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tineidae Papilionidae
Size 14-22 mm wingspan Wingspan 70-90 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Gall Makers Nectar Feeders
Regions Cosmopolitan Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tapestry Moth

A distinctive clothes moth with whitish forewings and a dark brownish-black base. It creates extensive silk galleries through materials rather than building portable cases.

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Did You Know?

It was historically the most destructive moth in horse stables, riddling horsehair padding and blankets.

Japanese Swallowtail

A common Asian swallowtail with pale yellow wings striped with black tiger-like bands. It is one of the most frequently seen butterflies in Japanese gardens.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars have a forked osmeterium that emits a foul smell to deter birds and wasps.