Death Head Hawk Moth vs Calleta Silk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Death Head Hawk Moth Calleta Silk Moth
Scientific Name Acherontia lachesis Eupackardia calleta
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Saturniidae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 85-110 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Asia Southwestern United States, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Death Head Hawk Moth

An Asian death head moth that squeaks loudly and raids bee hives for honey.

💡

Did You Know?

It produces a chemical that mimics bee pheromones to avoid attack inside hives.

Calleta Silk Moth

A dark brown silk moth with striking white crescent markings and a broad white postmedial band on each wing. It is native to the Sonoran Desert and surrounding regions.

💡

Did You Know?

Native peoples historically harvested its cocoons to make rattles and small containers.