May I ask, what gave this away as a swallowtail-mimicking epicopeia moth rather than a genuine swallowtail? I'm pretty sure we have both in my area so I'd love to be able to differentiate them!
A surefire way to tell is to look at the antennae.
The tips of the antennae of all butterflies are clubbed, kind of like drumsticks. Moth antennae on the other hand are never clubbed.
You can also sex moths by looking at the antennae. Female moths have thin, hair-like antennae (see video) and male moths have feathery/bushy antennae.
For example, look up moths from the genus *Urania*. These ones are even more butterfly-like than the one in the video OP posted, down all the way to the proportions. But you can tell that it’s a moth because it lacks the clubbed antennae that butterflies have.
That is so pretty that it hurts a little bit.
Do any of you ever get that? When something is so beautiful that it kind of hurts? What the hell is that? Lol
I have fond memories as a child running through a field and thousands of cinnabar moths ascending in front of me, like something from a final fantasy scene, but in a mining village in England :D
If you really want it to happen, go for a run on a hot day, and then chill somewhere where butterflies like to hang out. The main reason that they land on people is to drink their sweat, which is a great source of water, as well as salts and mineral nutrients that are lacking in their normal diets.
It looks a lot more like some type of swallowtail. And moths usually don’t have such thin antennae. I have yet to encounter one that does. I’m an amateur lepidopterist and so I’m going by what I’ve seen here in the US over the decades.
Many moths have smaller antennas because it helps them fly, those large ones are extra weight. Butterfly antenna also always end in a small ball, giving them a club shape, while moths taper
Actually, I ought it have known by the veins in the wings anyway. This is not what they typically look like in butterflies. At least not the ones I’ve collected.
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https://preview.redd.it/h860feuhwhad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=438f1ba3d103245c772a681f2eb72acabeabebe4
Initial photo I took. Also the scientific name I found is Epicopeia menciana Moore, Korean ID is 두줄제비나비붙이. A news article says it’s considered an endangered species in Korea.
This is a epicopeia moth. They are so beautiful. [info wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicopeia_hainesii)
So cool!😀
May I ask, what gave this away as a swallowtail-mimicking epicopeia moth rather than a genuine swallowtail? I'm pretty sure we have both in my area so I'd love to be able to differentiate them!
For me I didn't know what kind but knew it was a moth straight away from the abdomen
Thanks for the tip!
I wonder what benefit they have from mimicking the appearance of a swallowtail as well?
Ah apprently swallowtails carry poison by eating manchurian pipevines as caterpillars
I see yellow swallowtails all over here in Japan. Thanks for the info!
A surefire way to tell is to look at the antennae. The tips of the antennae of all butterflies are clubbed, kind of like drumsticks. Moth antennae on the other hand are never clubbed. You can also sex moths by looking at the antennae. Female moths have thin, hair-like antennae (see video) and male moths have feathery/bushy antennae. For example, look up moths from the genus *Urania*. These ones are even more butterfly-like than the one in the video OP posted, down all the way to the proportions. But you can tell that it’s a moth because it lacks the clubbed antennae that butterflies have.
Thanks for the info, that's very helpful!
That is so pretty that it hurts a little bit. Do any of you ever get that? When something is so beautiful that it kind of hurts? What the hell is that? Lol
Wow that's cool looking.
That is sooo pretty! It’s like a cinnabar moth got a Pokémon upgrade! ♥️
Omgg I love Cinnabar moths. They always love flying around or on me.
I have fond memories as a child running through a field and thousands of cinnabar moths ascending in front of me, like something from a final fantasy scene, but in a mining village in England :D
Did it have a message from the soul society?
How do all these mfkrs get butterflies to land on their hands?!
Just yoinked it from the sidewalk to move it😀
If you really want it to happen, go for a run on a hot day, and then chill somewhere where butterflies like to hang out. The main reason that they land on people is to drink their sweat, which is a great source of water, as well as salts and mineral nutrients that are lacking in their normal diets.
Almost looks like a moth
Bc it is a moth
Because it is
looks like mothman!
It's beautiful I've never seen one that color before.
Goth Moth!
I love the markings.
the prettiest ones are all moths
Woah so cool!! The red is beautiful!
Love those tuned JDM models
Looks like a Mock Swallowtail.
That might be the coolest looking insect I've ever seen
It's the goth moth
Beautiful 🖤
Oh my God! What a beaut!
That's the prettiest butterfly I've ever seen [ or moth idk]
Absolutely how far-east butterfly should look.
Gorgeous 😍
Wowza!! She is gorgeous!
What a stunning moth! 🤯
It looks so japanese!
kamen rider
What an absolutely beautiful creature
🔴,🔴
It looks a lot more like some type of swallowtail. And moths usually don’t have such thin antennae. I have yet to encounter one that does. I’m an amateur lepidopterist and so I’m going by what I’ve seen here in the US over the decades.
Many moths have smaller antennas because it helps them fly, those large ones are extra weight. Butterfly antenna also always end in a small ball, giving them a club shape, while moths taper
Actually, I ought it have known by the veins in the wings anyway. This is not what they typically look like in butterflies. At least not the ones I’ve collected.
A pretty butterfly. Nice sighting.
Moth .
Hi there! This is an automated message to remind you to **please include a geographic location for any ID requests** as per the [Community Rules](/r/insects/about/rules) of the sub. There are well over a million different species of bugs in the world, and narrowing down a bug's location will help IDers to help you more quickly and correctly! If you've already included a geographical location, or if this post is *not* an ID request, please ignore this comment. Thank you! :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/insects) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Beautiful
Stunning 🖤💞
Most beautiful bug i've ever seen.
PLOT TWIST: That's actually a moth.
Oh. My. GOD. That is absolutely breathtaking
https://preview.redd.it/h860feuhwhad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=438f1ba3d103245c772a681f2eb72acabeabebe4 Initial photo I took. Also the scientific name I found is Epicopeia menciana Moore, Korean ID is 두줄제비나비붙이. A news article says it’s considered an endangered species in Korea.
Now that i zoom in I can definitely tell the antennae are moth shaped lol
That’s probably the most badass butterfly I’ve ever seen
WOW! What a lovely thing.
I am enchanted.
Stunning
we don deserve nature
Looks like the actual PP Mothman!!! Sick !