Eyed Hawk-moth vs Mountain Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eyed Hawk-moth | Mountain Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Smerinthus ocellatus | Boloria napaea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 70-95 mm wingspan | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Alps, Scandinavia, Rocky Mountains |
| 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.
Did You Know?
The flash of its eyespots has been shown experimentally to startle birds into abandoning their attack.
Mountain Fritillary
A small fritillary with rich orange-brown wings marked with black spots. It occurs in damp alpine meadows alongside streams.
Did You Know?
Males patrol stream corridors searching for freshly emerged females.