Golden Sun Moth vs White-Lined Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden Sun Moth White-Lined Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Synemon plana Hyles lineata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Castniidae Sphingidae
Size 3-4 cm wingspan 65-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Grasslands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Root Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia Throughout North America from Canada to Central America
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Golden Sun Moth

A day-flying moth with dull grey-brown forewings and brilliant orange-gold hindwings. It is critically threatened by the loss of native grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Larvae live underground feeding on grass roots for up to three years before emerging as adults that live only days.

White-Lined Sphinx Moth

A common sphinx moth with bold white stripes on its forewings and a pink-banded hindwing. It hovers at flowers like a hummingbird and is active at dusk.

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Did You Know?

During outbreak years, its caterpillars can be so numerous they cross roads in large numbers and are called armyworms.