Zebra Swallowtail vs Acacia Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Zebra Swallowtail Acacia Thrips
Scientific Name Eurytides marcellus Kladothrips waterhousei
Order Lepidoptera Thysanoptera
Family Papilionidae Phlaeothripidae
Size 64-100 mm wingspan 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Gall Makers
Regions Eastern United States Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Zebra Swallowtail

A pale greenish-white swallowtail with bold black stripes and very long hindwing tails. Its striking zebra-like pattern makes it one of the most recognizable North American butterflies.

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Did You Know?

Spring-emerging individuals have shorter tails and darker markings than the larger, paler summer generation.

Acacia Thrips

An Australian gall-inducing thrips that creates enclosed galls on Acacia phyllodes. It exhibits a soldier caste that defends the gall.

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Did You Know?

This thrips has evolved a soldier caste with enlarged forelegs, making it one of the few eusocial insect lineages outside Hymenoptera.