Blue Quill vs Poplar Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Quill | Poplar Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraleptophlebia guttata | Laothoe populi |
| Order | Ephemeroptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Leptophlebiidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 65-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Quill
A delicate spring-emerging mayfly with bluish-gray body coloring. Nymphs prefer riffles with abundant leaf detritus in clean streams.
Did You Know?
Anglers consider it one of the most important early-season hatches on trout streams.
Poplar Hawk-moth
A large grey-brown hawk-moth that holds its hindwings forward of the forewings at rest, creating an unusual silhouette. It is the most common hawk-moth across much of Europe.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, it reveals a rust-orange patch on its hindwings to startle predators before dropping to the ground.