Japanese Oakblue vs Amazon Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Oakblue Amazon Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Arhopala japonica Cocytius antaeus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Sphingidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 130-175 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan Brazil, Central America, Caribbean, southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Japanese Oakblue

A beautiful lycaenid butterfly with brilliant metallic blue upperwings and cryptic brown underwings. Found in oak forests where its larvae live in association with ants. Known as 'murasaki-shijimi.'

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars produce sweet secretions that attract ants, which then guard them from predators in a mutualistic relationship.

Amazon Sphinx Moth

One of the largest sphinx moths in the Americas with a long, narrow body and pointed wings. Its tongue can exceed 30 centimeters in length.

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Did You Know?

Its extraordinarily long proboscis evolved alongside deep-tubed orchids in a classic example of co-evolution.