Five-Spotted Hawk Moth vs Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Five-Spotted Hawk Moth | Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Manduca quinquemaculata | Acherontia styx |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 95-130 mm wingspan | 80-115 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout North America | South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia |
| 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.
Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth
An Asian relative of the death's-head hawk moth, similarly marked with a skull pattern on the thorax. It is slightly smaller but equally capable of entering beehives to feed on honey.
Did You Know?
Like its European cousin, Acherontia styx can produce a squeaking sound by forcing air through its proboscis, which may mimic queen bee pheromones to pacify guard bees.