Elephant Hawk-moth vs Cruiser Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elephant Hawk-moth Cruiser Butterfly
Scientific Name Deilephila elpenor Vindula dejone
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Nymphalidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 80-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Borneo, Sulawesi, Philippines)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Elephant Hawk-moth

A stunning pink and olive-green moth that hovers at flowers like a hummingbird at dusk. Its caterpillar has eyespots and a trunk-like shape, resembling a small elephant.

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Did You Know?

It has exceptional night vision and can see colour in near-total darkness.

Cruiser Butterfly

A large butterfly with warm orange wings marked with black spots and lines. Males are bright tawny-orange while females are paler with more elaborate brown and white patterning.

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Did You Know?

Males often patrol river courses and forest clearings with a powerful cruising flight, hence the common name.