Four-barred Swordtail vs Guedin's Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-barred Swordtail Guedin's Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Protographium leosthenes Macroglossum gyrans
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Sphingidae
Size 6-7 cm wingspan 35-45 mm
Habitat Forests Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia, Papua New Guinea India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Four-barred Swordtail

A distinctive swallowtail with translucent wings crossed by four dark bars and a long sword-like tail. It has a rapid, darting flight pattern.

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Did You Know?

Its nearly transparent wings make it extremely difficult to spot in dappled rainforest light.

Guedin's Hawk Moth

A small day-flying hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and orange-yellow hindwings. It hovers at flowers like a hummingbird and is widespread across tropical Asia.

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Did You Know?

Macroglossum gyrans can beat its wings over 70 times per second while hovering, producing the characteristic humming sound that gives its genus its name.