Elephant Hawk-moth vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Hawk-moth | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deilephila elpenor | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It has exceptional night vision and can see colour in near-total darkness.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.