Coffee Bee Hawk Moth vs Small Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Coffee Bee Hawk Moth | Small Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cephonodes picus | Aglais urticae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 35-50 mm | Wingspan 45-55mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | East Africa, Madagascar | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Coffee Bee Hawk Moth
A smaller clearwing hawk moth with transparent wings and a compact olive and yellow body. It is often found around coffee plantations in Africa where its larvae feed on Rubiaceae.
Did You Know?
This species is sometimes considered a minor pest of coffee plantations in East Africa, where its caterpillars can defoliate young coffee plants.
Small Tortoiseshell
A familiar orange butterfly with black and yellow markings and a row of blue crescents along the wing margins. It hibernates in buildings over winter.
Did You Know?
Adults hibernate in attics and sheds and can survive freezing temperatures by producing glycerol as natural antifreeze.