Teak Defoliator Moth vs Emperor Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Teak Defoliator Moth | Emperor Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyblaea puera | Papilio ophidicephalus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hyblaeidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal) | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Teak Defoliator Moth
A medium-sized moth with orange-brown forewings and bright orange hindwings bordered in black. Its caterpillars are the most devastating defoliators of teak plantations across South Asia, stripping trees bare.
Did You Know?
During outbreak years, entire teak forests turn brown as millions of caterpillars strip every leaf, though the trees typically refoliate.
Emperor Swallowtail
South Africa's largest butterfly with bold black and yellow-green markings. Its caterpillar mimics a bird dropping in early instars.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar's head bears false eyespots that make it resemble a small snake to deter predators.