Elephant Hawk-moth vs River Jewelwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elephant Hawk-moth River Jewelwing
Scientific Name Deilephila elpenor Calopteryx aequabilis
Order Lepidoptera Odonata
Family Sphingidae Calopterygidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 42-54 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia North America
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.

River Jewelwing

A North American damselfly with narrow dark wing tips in males and a metallic green body. It prefers faster-flowing rivers than the Ebony Jewelwing.

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Did You Know?

Males have dark tips on otherwise clear wings, the reverse pattern of most other jewelwings.