Herald Moth vs Corsican Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Herald Moth Corsican Swallowtail
Scientific Name Scoliopteryx libatrix Papilio hospiton
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Papilionidae
Size 40-46 mm wingspan 68-76 mm wingspan
Habitat Caves Mountains
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Corsica (France) and Sardinia (Italy)
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Herald Moth

A distinctive moth with scalloped wing edges and orange patches that hibernates in caves, cellars, and outbuildings. One of the first moths to be seen each spring. Adults resemble dead leaves.

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Did You Know?

Often hibernates in caves alongside bats, and can survive freezing temperatures during winter.

Corsican Swallowtail

A large swallowtail endemic to the Mediterranean islands of Corsica and Sardinia with heavily patterned black and yellow wings. It is one of Europe's most threatened butterflies.

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Did You Know?

It can hybridize with the common swallowtail where their ranges overlap, producing fertile hybrid offspring.