Emperor Dragonfly vs Pandora Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emperor Dragonfly | Pandora Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anax imperator | Eumorpha pandorus |
| Order | Odonata | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Aeshnidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 66-84 mm body, 78 mm wingspan | 82-115 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Africa, Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Emperor Dragonfly
One of the largest dragonflies in Europe. Powerful flier that patrols territories along waterways. Can fly at speeds up to 54 km/h and catch prey mid-flight with near-perfect accuracy.
Did You Know?
Emperor dragonflies have a prey capture success rate of 95% — the highest of any predator on Earth. Lions succeed only 25% of the time.
Pandora Sphinx Moth
A large sphinx moth with olive-green forewings marked with darker patches and pink hindwings. Its caterpillar has a large eyespot that makes it resemble a small snake.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar can retract its head into its thorax to inflate the eyespot and look more threatening.