Common Mormon vs Pellucid Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Mormon | Pellucid Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio polytes | Cephonodes hylas |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 90-100 mm wingspan | 45-65 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia | South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Africa, Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.
Pellucid Hawk Moth
A strikingly beautiful day-flying hawk moth with entirely transparent wings and a bright green and yellow body. It hovers at flowers in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.
Did You Know?
Unlike most clearwing moths that lose scales gradually, Cephonodes hylas sheds nearly all its wing scales within seconds of emerging from the pupal case.