Common Acerentomid vs Madagascan Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Acerentomid Madagascan Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Acerentomon doderoi Xanthopan praedicta
Order Protura Lepidoptera
Family Acerentomidae Sphingidae
Size 0.5-1.5 mm 130-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Madagascar
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Common Acerentomid

A tiny eyeless proturan found in forest soils across Europe. It walks on only four legs, holding its forelegs forward as antennae.

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Did You Know?

Proturans are the only hexapods that add body segments as they molt, starting with nine abdominal segments and gaining three more.

Madagascan Sphinx Moth

A hawkmoth with an extraordinarily long proboscis, endemic to Madagascar. Darwin famously predicted its existence based on a deep orchid.

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Did You Know?

Its proboscis can reach up to 30 cm long to access nectar from Angraecum sesquipedale orchids.