Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth vs Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth Spotted Cucumber Beetle
Scientific Name Acherontia styx Diabrotica undecimpunctata
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Chrysomelidae
Size 80-115 mm 5-7mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Root Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

A yellowish-green beetle with eleven black spots on its elytra. It is a significant agricultural pest of cucurbits, corn, and other crops.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are known as corn rootworms and can cause billions of dollars in crop damage annually.