Large White vs Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large White | Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pieris brassicae | Hemaris tityus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 58-63 mm wingspan | 38-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Wetlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (declining in western Europe) |
Large White
A common white butterfly with black wingtips and one or two black spots on the forewing. Its green-yellow caterpillars are a major agricultural pest of brassica crops.
Did You Know?
The caterpillars sequester mustard oils from their food plants and can spray these noxious chemicals at attacking predators.
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings and a furry olive-and-brown body. It flies by day, hovering at flowers in a manner indistinguishable from a real bee.
Did You Know?
The wing scales fall off during its first flight, leaving the characteristic clear patches.