Death Head Hawk Moth vs Great Purple Emperor

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Death Head Hawk Moth Great Purple Emperor
Scientific Name Acherontia lachesis Sasakia charonda
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Nymphalidae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 75-110 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions Asia East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Death Head Hawk Moth

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

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Did You Know?

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

Great Purple Emperor

Japan's national butterfly, known as 'o-murasaki' in Japanese. Males display a stunning purple iridescence on their wings. A large and powerful flier found in deciduous forests.

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Did You Know?

Designated as Japan's national butterfly in 1957, the Great Purple Emperor is rarely seen feeding on flowers, preferring tree sap instead.