Lackey Moth vs Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lackey Moth Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Scientific Name Malacosoma neustria Papilio glaucus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lasiocampidae Papilionidae
Size Wingspan 30-40mm 79-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lackey Moth

A pale tawny moth whose colorful striped caterpillars spin communal silk tents on trees.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars live together in conspicuous silk tents on trees and march out in processions to feed.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

A large yellow butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and blue and orange markings on the hindwing margins. Females can occur in a dark morph mimicking the toxic pipevine swallowtail.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar has large false eyespots and can evert an orange forked gland called an osmeterium that emits a foul smell to deter predators.