American Scorpionfly vs Blinded Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Scorpionfly | Blinded Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panorpa nuptialis | Paonias excaecata |
| Order | Mecoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Panorpidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 18-25 mm | 55-80 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southeastern United States | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Scorpionfly
A large scorpionfly found in the southeastern United States with prominent wing spots. Males engage in elaborate courtship rituals involving nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
This species was key to discovering that nuptial gift-giving in scorpionflies helps males avoid being eaten by females.
Blinded Sphinx Moth
A bark-patterned hawk moth with brown forewings and blue hindwing eyespots that lack the central pupil found in related species, giving it the name 'blinded.' It is widespread in North America.
Did You Know?
Its name 'excaecata' means 'blinded' in Latin, referring to the pupil-less eyespots that distinguish it from the closely related eyed hawk moth.