Elephant Hawk-moth vs Spoonwing Lacewing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Hawk-moth | Spoonwing Lacewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deilephila elpenor | Nemoptera bipennis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Nemopteridae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 20-28 mm body |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe |
| 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.
Spoonwing Lacewing
A graceful insect with spatula-shaped hindwing extensions, giving it an ethereal appearance in flight. Common in Iberian Peninsula grasslands.
Did You Know?
The spoon-shaped hindwings create an unusual fluttering flight pattern that makes the insect difficult for predators to track.