Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth vs Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gaboon Viper Caterpillar Moth | Hummingbird Hawk-Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lobobunaea phaedusa | Macroglossum stellatarum |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Saturniidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 90-120 mm wingspan | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Congo) | Europe, Asia, 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.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
A day-flying moth that hovers at flowers and produces an audible hum, almost perfectly mimicking a hummingbird. Has exceptional visual memory for flower locations.
Did You Know?
This moth can remember the locations of hundreds of individual flowers and times its visits to when nectar is replenished — a memory feat unmatched by most insects.