Helena Gum Moth vs Spurge Hawkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Helena Gum Moth Spurge Hawkmoth
Scientific Name Opodiphthera helena Hyles euphorbiae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Sphingidae
Size 90-120 mm wingspan 60-80 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Australia, Oceania Europe, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Helena Gum Moth

A beautiful saturniid moth with pinkish-brown wings marked with bold eyespots. It is found in eucalyptus forests of southeastern Australia and is closely related to the Emperor Gum Moth.

💡

Did You Know?

Like all saturniid moths, adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage.

Spurge Hawkmoth

A striking hawkmoth with olive and pink forewings and rosy-red hindwings with a black base. Its caterpillar is equally spectacular with red, black, yellow, and white markings.

💡

Did You Know?

It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive leafy spurge.