Brimstone Moth vs Bee-fly Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brimstone Moth Bee-fly Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Opisthograptis luteolata Macroglossum bombylans
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae Sphingidae
Size 33-40 mm wingspan 30-40 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, western Asia India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, southern China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Brimstone Moth

A bright yellow moth with chestnut-brown blotches along the leading edge of each wing. It is a common and cheerful visitor to lighted windows in summer.

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Did You Know?

Despite sharing a name with the brimstone butterfly, the two species are not closely related at all.

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.

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Did You Know?

Its species name 'bombylans' means 'buzzing like a bee,' referring to both its sound and appearance during flower visits.