Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth vs Duke of Burgundy

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth Duke of Burgundy
Scientific Name Acherontia styx Hamearis lucina
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Riodinidae
Size 80-115 mm 29-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Grasslands
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (declining regionally)

Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth

An Asian relative of the death's-head hawk moth, similarly marked with a skull pattern on the thorax. It is slightly smaller but equally capable of entering beehives to feed on honey.

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Did You Know?

Like its European cousin, Acherontia styx can produce a squeaking sound by forcing air through its proboscis, which may mimic queen bee pheromones to pacify guard bees.

Duke of Burgundy

A small, chequered brown and orange butterfly and Europe's only member of the metalmark family. It has declined significantly due to habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common name suggesting a fritillary, it belongs to an entirely different family.