Common Lime Butterfly vs Rustic Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Lime Butterfly Rustic Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Papilio demoleus Manduca rustica
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Sphingidae
Size 80-100 mm wingspan 90-140 mm
Habitat Orchards Gardens
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Caribbean Southern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Lime Butterfly

Black swallowtail covered in pale yellow spots and lacking hindwing tails. A major pest of citrus across Asia and recently invaded the Caribbean.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most successful invasive butterflies, having colonized the Caribbean since 2004.

Rustic Sphinx Moth

A striking hawk moth with dark brown forewings marked with white patches and a banded abdomen. It is a strong flier found across the Americas and is attracted to garden flowers at dusk.

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Did You Know?

The rustic sphinx is one of the largest hawk moths in North America and can sometimes be seen hovering at flowers alongside hummingbirds.