Large Case Moth vs Death Head Hawkmoth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Case Moth | Death Head Hawkmoth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metura elongatus | Acherontia atropos |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Psychidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Australia | Africa, Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Case Moth
A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.
Did You Know?
The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.
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.