Antlion vs Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Antlion | Hummingbird Clearwing Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myrmeleon formicarius | Hemaris thysbe |
| Order | Neuroptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Myrmeleontidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 30-35 mm body (adult) | 38-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Antlion
Larvae build conical sand pit traps to catch ants and other small insects. The larva waits buried at the bottom and flicks sand at prey trying to escape up the slopes.
Did You Know?
Antlion larvae engineer their sand traps using physics — they build at the exact angle of repose so any disturbance causes an avalanche, sweeping prey to the bottom.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
A day-flying sphinx moth with transparent wings bordered in reddish-brown that closely resembles a hummingbird. It hovers at flowers while feeding with its long proboscis.
Did You Know?
Its wings are initially covered in scales when it emerges from its cocoon, but the scales fall off during its first flight, leaving them transparent.