Five-Spotted Hawk Moth vs Box Tree Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Five-Spotted Hawk Moth | Box Tree Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Manduca quinquemaculata | Cydalima perspectalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 95-130 mm wingspan | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout North America | Native to East Asia; invasive in Europe and North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Five-Spotted Hawk Moth
A large mottled gray moth whose caterpillar is the familiar tomato hornworm with a distinctive black horn. The adult has five pairs of yellow-orange spots on its abdomen.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillar is frequently confused with the tobacco hornworm but can be distinguished by its V-shaped white markings instead of diagonal stripes.
Box Tree Moth
A white moth with iridescent brown wing borders that has become one of Europe's most destructive invasive species. Its caterpillars can completely defoliate ornamental boxwood hedges.
Did You Know?
Since arriving in Europe around 2007, it has devastated centuries-old boxwood gardens across the continent.