Guedin's Hawk Moth vs Common Mormon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Guedin's Hawk Moth | Common Mormon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macroglossum gyrans | Papilio polytes |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm | 90-100 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.