Bald-faced Hornet vs Waved Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bald-faced Hornet | Waved Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolichovespula maculata | Ceratomia undulosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 75-100 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bald-faced Hornet
A large black and white social wasp that builds impressive football-sized paper nests in trees and on buildings. Despite its name, it is not a true hornet but a yellowjacket relative.
Did You Know?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.
Waved Sphinx Moth
A large gray hawk moth with wavy dark lines across the forewings, providing superb bark camouflage. It is one of the most commonly encountered sphingids at lights in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
The waved sphinx is so common at porch lights in the eastern US that it is often the first sphinx moth most people encounter.