Large Birch Cimbicid vs Privet Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Birch Cimbicid Privet Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Cimbex connatus Sphinx ligustri
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Cimbicidae Sphingidae
Size 18-28 mm 90-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Northern and Eastern Europe, Siberia Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Birch Cimbicid

A very large sawfly, closely related to C. femoratus, with a massive body and distinctly clubbed antennae. Adults vary in color from yellowish to dark brownish-black.

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Did You Know?

This species was once confused with C. femoratus until detailed morphological studies separated them as distinct species based on antennal and genital characters.

Privet Hawk-moth

Britain's largest resident moth, with a massive body bearing pink and black abdominal stripes. Its horn-tipped caterpillar is bright green with purple and white diagonal stripes.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar performs a sphinx-like pose when disturbed, which gave the Sphingidae family its name.