Harvester Butterfly vs Death Head Hawkmoth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Harvester Butterfly | Death Head Hawkmoth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Feniseca tarquinius | Acherontia atropos |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 28-33 mm wingspan | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Africa, Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Harvester Butterfly
The only carnivorous butterfly in North America, whose caterpillar feeds on woolly aphids rather than plants. Adults are small and orange-brown with dark spotting.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar camouflages itself with the waxy white filaments of its aphid prey while feeding.
Death Head Hawkmoth
Famous for the skull-like pattern on its thorax. Can emit a loud squeak when disturbed. Raids beehives by mimicking bee scent to steal honey.
Did You Know?
Deaths-head hawkmoths invade beehives by releasing a chemical that mimics the scent of bees, allowing them to walk in unbothered and feast on honey.