Bee-fly Hawk Moth vs Mediterranean Flour Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee-fly Hawk Moth | Mediterranean Flour Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macroglossum bombylans | Ephestia kuehniella |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Pyralidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 10-14 mm body; 20-25 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Indoors |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, southern China | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bee-fly Hawk Moth
A small day-flying hawk moth that mimics a bumblebee with its furry body and buzzing flight. It visits flowers in gardens and forest edges across South and Southeast Asia.
Did You Know?
Its species name 'bombylans' means 'buzzing like a bee,' referring to both its sound and appearance during flower visits.
Mediterranean Flour Moth
A major pest of flour mills that produces dense silken webbing that clogs milling machinery. It is pale grey with zigzag markings on the forewings.
Did You Know?
It was the first insect used to demonstrate biological pest control with parasitoid wasps in the early 1900s.