Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly vs Lime Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly | Lime Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bittacus strigosus | Mimas tiliae |
| Order | Mecoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Bittacidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm wingspan | 55-70 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Meadows | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eastern Hanging Scorpionfly
A North American hangingfly that hunts small insects while dangling from vegetation. Females assess male quality based on the size of prey offered as nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Females will only mate with males that offer prey items above a certain size, rejecting males with inadequate gifts.
Lime Hawk-moth
A beautifully scalloped hawk-moth with variable pink-green to brown colouration and dark central wing bands. Adults do not feed at all, living only on energy stored as caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.