Latreille's Hawk Moth vs Turtle Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Latreille's Hawk Moth Turtle Ant
Scientific Name Theretra latreillii Cephalotes atratus
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphingidae Formicidae
Size 55-70 mm 6-14 mm
Habitat Gardens Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia, New Guinea, Southeast Asia Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Latreille's Hawk Moth

A medium-sized hawk moth with olive-brown forewings bearing a distinctive pale stripe. It is common in eastern Australia where its caterpillars feed on grape and ornamental vines.

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Did You Know?

In Australia, this moth is commonly known as the 'grapevine hawk moth' and is one of the most frequently encountered sphingids in suburban Sydney.

Turtle Ant

A large, flat-bodied arboreal ant with a broad disc-shaped head used to block nest entrances in tree holes. Workers can glide directionally when falling from the canopy.

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Did You Know?

They are one of the few ant species capable of directed aerial gliding, steering back to their tree trunk mid-fall.