Blackburn's Sphinx Moth vs Cloaked Groundhopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blackburn's Sphinx Moth | Cloaked Groundhopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Manduca blackburni | Tetrix ceperoi |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | 100-120 mm wingspan | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (Hawaii) | Western Europe, Mediterranean |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Blackburn's Sphinx Moth
The largest native insect in Hawaii, this sphinx moth has a wingspan up to 120 mm. It was once widespread across the islands but is now extremely rare due to habitat loss and invasive species. Its larvae originally fed on native aiea trees but now also use introduced tobacco.
Did You Know?
This moth has adapted to feed on introduced tobacco plants, a relative of its native host, which may have helped prevent its extinction.
Cloaked Groundhopper
A small pygmy grasshopper of bare, damp ground on heathlands and coastal salt pans in western Europe. It is distinguished from related species by its longer wings and preference for saline habitats.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few grasshoppers tolerant of saline conditions, thriving on coastal salt pans where few insects venture.