Eyed Hawk-moth vs Blue Nawab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eyed Hawk-moth Blue Nawab
Scientific Name Smerinthus ocellatus Polyura schreiber
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Nymphalidae
Size 70-95 mm wingspan 80-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eyed Hawk-moth

A large hawk-moth with cryptic brown forewings that conceal vivid blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When startled, it flashes its eyespots to frighten predators.

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Did You Know?

The flash of its eyespots has been shown experimentally to startle birds into abandoning their attack.

Blue Nawab

A powerful and fast-flying butterfly with a pale bluish-white upper surface and intricate brown and orange undersides. It has distinctive short tails on the hindwings and a rapid, gliding flight.

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Did You Know?

Unlike many butterflies, the Blue Nawab rarely visits flowers and instead prefers fermenting fruit and animal dung for nutrients.