Silver-spotted Ghost Moth vs Schaus Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Silver-spotted Ghost Moth | Schaus Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sthenopis argenteomaculatus | Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm wingspan | 83-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Florida Keys, United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.
Did You Know?
Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.
Schaus Swallowtail
A dark swallowtail with yellow bands and rusty-brown hindwing patches restricted to hardwood hammocks of the Florida Keys. It is one of the most endangered butterflies in the United States.
Did You Know?
After Hurricane Andrew in 1992 nearly wiped out the species, a captive breeding program at the University of Florida saved it from extinction.