Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth vs Giant Charaxes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth | Giant Charaxes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lobobunaea phaedusa | Charaxes castor |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 90-120 mm wingspan | 75-95 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Grasslands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Congo) | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| 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.
Giant Charaxes
One of the largest charaxes butterflies with powerful tawny-orange wings with black borders. It has two short tails on each hindwing.
Did You Know?
They are such powerful fliers that they can be heard making a distinct rustling noise as they fly past.