Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth vs African Ebony Longhorn
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth | African Ebony Longhorn |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lobobunaea phaedusa | Phantasis gigantea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 90-120 mm wingspan | 45-70 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Congo) | Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth
A large saturniid moth with rich brown and reddish-purple wings bearing prominent eye-spots. The caterpillars are spectacularly spined and brightly colored. Adults do not feed and rely entirely on energy stored during the larval stage.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars have stinging spines that can cause severe skin irritation, protecting them from most predators.
African Ebony Longhorn
An impressively large African lamiin with an elongated body and extremely long, spindly legs. It is found in the miombo woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light traps.
Did You Know?
Its extraordinarily long legs can span over 150 mm from tip to tip, giving it a spider-like appearance.