Wahlberg's Cockroach vs Pipevine Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wahlberg's Cockroach Pipevine Swallowtail
Scientific Name Deropeltis wahlbergi Battus philenor
Order Blattodea Lepidoptera
Family Blattidae Papilionidae
Size 25-35 mm 70-110 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Southern Africa (South Africa, Mozambique) North America from southern Canada to Mexico
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Wahlberg's Cockroach

A medium-sized black cockroach with orange wing margins found in southern Africa. It is named after the Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg.

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Did You Know?

It curls up defensively like a pillbug when handled, a behavior unusual among cockroaches.

Pipevine Swallowtail

A dark swallowtail with brilliant iridescent blue hindwings and an orange-spotted underside. Its toxicity from Aristolochia host plants makes it the model for several mimicry complexes.

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Did You Know?

At least five other butterfly species mimic its appearance to gain protection from predators.