Giant Blue Swallowtail vs Asian Cockroach

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Blue Swallowtail Asian Cockroach
Scientific Name Papilio zalmoxis Blattella asahinai
Order Lepidoptera Blattodea
Family Papilionidae Ectobiidae
Size 140-170 mm wingspan 13-16 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions West and Central Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Ghana) Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Blue Swallowtail

One of the largest and most spectacular butterflies in Africa, with a wingspan exceeding 150 mm. The wings are brilliant pale blue with dark margins. It is a powerful flier that inhabits the canopy of primary rainforests.

💡

Did You Know?

This magnificent butterfly rarely descends below 20 meters, spending most of its life soaring through the forest canopy.

Asian Cockroach

Nearly identical in appearance to the German cockroach but with very different behavior, as it lives outdoors and is strongly attracted to lights. It is an excellent flier.

💡

Did You Know?

The Asian cockroach is so similar to the German cockroach that even experts sometimes need laboratory analysis to distinguish the two species.