Baronia Swallowtail vs Exploding Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Baronia Swallowtail Exploding Ant
Scientific Name Baronia brevicornis Colobopsis explodens
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Formicidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 4-6 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Southwestern Mexico Asia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Baronia Swallowtail

The most primitive living swallowtail butterfly, restricted to a small area of southwestern Mexico. A true living fossil representing a lineage over 50 million years old.

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Did You Know?

The most primitive living papilionid butterfly, with a lineage stretching back over 50 million years.

Exploding Ant

Minor workers can deliberately rupture their own bodies in an act of self-sacrifice, releasing a toxic sticky yellow secretion that entangles and kills attackers. Described new in 2018.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, these ants literally explode — minor workers contract their abdominal muscles so violently they burst open, spraying toxic glue on attackers in a suicidal defense.