Blinded Sphinx Moth vs Acacia Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blinded Sphinx Moth Acacia Thrips
Scientific Name Paonias excaecata Kladothrips waterhousei
Order Lepidoptera Thysanoptera
Family Sphingidae Phlaeothripidae
Size 55-80 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Gall Makers
Regions North America Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Blinded Sphinx Moth

A bark-patterned hawk moth with brown forewings and blue hindwing eyespots that lack the central pupil found in related species, giving it the name 'blinded.' It is widespread in North America.

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Did You Know?

Its name 'excaecata' means 'blinded' in Latin, referring to the pupil-less eyespots that distinguish it from the closely related eyed hawk moth.

Acacia Thrips

An Australian gall-inducing thrips that creates enclosed galls on Acacia phyllodes. It exhibits a soldier caste that defends the gall.

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Did You Know?

This thrips has evolved a soldier caste with enlarged forelegs, making it one of the few eusocial insect lineages outside Hymenoptera.