Ulysses Butterfly vs Mother of Pearl Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ulysses Butterfly Mother of Pearl Moth
Scientific Name Papilio ulysses Patania ruralis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Crambidae
Size 10-14 cm wingspan 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Hedgerows
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ulysses Butterfly

A large swallowtail with electric blue uppersides and cryptic brown undersides. It is an iconic symbol of tropical north Queensland tourism.

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Did You Know?

Males are strongly attracted to anything bright blue, including clothing and car paint.

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

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Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.