Vapourer Moth vs Chinese Peacock Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Vapourer Moth Chinese Peacock Swallowtail
Scientific Name Orgyia antiqua Papilio bianor
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Papilionidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan (males only) Wingspan 80-110 mm
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia, North America China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Vapourer Moth

A moth in which males are russet-brown day-fliers while females are completely wingless and never leave their cocoon. Females lay eggs directly on their own pupal case.

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Did You Know?

The flightless female produces a powerful pheromone that attracts males from great distances to her cocoon.

Chinese Peacock Swallowtail

A large swallowtail with dark wings that shimmer with brilliant blue-green iridescence. Its hindwings feature red and blue eyespot markings near the tails.

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Did You Know?

The stunning blue-green iridescence on its wings inspired research into photonic crystal nanostructures.