Douglas-fir Tussock Moth vs Madagascan Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Douglas-fir Tussock Moth Madagascan Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Orgyia pseudotsugata Xanthopan praedicta
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Sphingidae
Size 25-35 mm wingspan (males) 130-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Madagascar
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Douglas-fir Tussock Moth

A defoliator of Douglas-fir and true firs in western North America. Outbreaks cause severe defoliation and tree mortality in dry inland forests.

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Did You Know?

Females are flightless and lay their eggs directly on their cocoons.

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.