Black Swallowtail vs Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar
How does the Black Swallowtail compare to the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar? They are both members of the Papilionidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.
Side-by-side comparison
- Scientific name
- Papilio polyxenes
- Ornithoptera alexandrae
- Classification
- Invertebrate
- Invertebrate
- Family
- Papilionidae
- Papilionidae
- Habitat
- Fields, meadows, gardens, and open areas
- Lowland rainforest
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Herbivore
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Endangered
- Lifespan
- 6-14 days (adult stage); several months total including larval and pupal stages
- 2-3 months (larval stage)
- Weight
- 0.3-0.5 grams
- Up to 8 grams
Black Swallowtail vs Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar: who would win?
Black Swallowtail
0.3-0.5 grams
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar
Up to 8 grams
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar wins high confidence
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar is substantially heavier (Up to 8 grams vs 0.3-0.5 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
Similarities
- Both are invertebrates.
- Both belong to the Papilionidae family.
- Both have a herbivore diet.
Differences
- Habitat: Fields, meadows, gardens, and open areas vs Lowland rainforest.
- Conservation: Least Concern vs Endangered.
- Weight: 0.3-0.5 grams vs Up to 8 grams.
Black Swallowtail vs Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar: FAQ
Who would win in a fight, a Black Swallowtail or a Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar?
Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar wins. Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar is substantially heavier (Up to 8 grams vs 0.3-0.5 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.
What is the difference between a Black Swallowtail and a Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar?
Black Swallowtail and Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar differ in several ways — habitat: fields, meadows, gardens, and open areas vs lowland rainforest. conservation: least concern vs endangered. weight: 0.3-0.5 grams vs up to 8 grams.
Do Black Swallowtail and Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar live in the same habitat?
No — Black Swallowtail lives in fields, meadows, gardens, and open areas, while Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar is found in lowland rainforest.
What do Black Swallowtail and Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar eat?
Both Black Swallowtail and Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar have a herbivore diet.
Which is more endangered, the Black Swallowtail or the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar?
Black Swallowtail is listed as Least Concern, while Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar is listed as Endangered.
How big are Black Swallowtail and Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar?
Black Swallowtail weighs around 0.3-0.5 grams, while Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar weighs around Up to 8 grams.
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Black Swallowtail
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Queen Alexandra's Birdwing Caterpillar
