Eyed Hawk-moth vs Large Gold Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eyed Hawk-moth Large Gold Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Smerinthus ocellatus Staphylinus caesareus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Staphylinidae
Size 70-95 mm wingspan 17-25 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, Western Asia
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.

Large Gold Rove Beetle

A large and handsome rove beetle with golden pubescence on its thorax and bright orange abdominal bands. It is an aggressive predator of carrion-feeding insects.

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Did You Know?

Its species name caesareus means imperial, referring to its regal golden markings.