Blackburn's Sphinx Moth vs Punctate Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Blackburn's Sphinx Moth	Punctate Sweat Bee
Scientific Name	Manduca blackburni	Lasioglossum punctatissimum
Order	Lepidoptera	Hymenoptera
Family	Sphingidae	Halictidae
Size	100-120 mm wingspan	5-6 mm
Habitat	Heathland	Grasslands
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Nectar Feeders
Regions	Oceania (Hawaii)	Europe, Western Asia
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.

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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.

Punctate Sweat Bee

A tiny, dark furrow bee with dense punctation covering its thorax and head. It is one of the most common but overlooked solitary bees in European grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Its heavily sculpted exoskeleton with thousands of tiny pits gives it a matte finish that distinguishes it from shinier related species.