Lime Hawk-moth vs Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lime Hawk-moth Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Mimas tiliae Altica oleracea
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Chrysomelidae
Size 55-70 mm wingspan 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, western Asia Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lime Hawk-moth

A beautifully scalloped hawk-moth with variable pink-green to brown colouration and dark central wing bands. Adults do not feed at all, living only on energy stored as caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.

Flea Beetle

Tiny jumping beetles with enlarged hind femora for leaping. Named for their flea-like jumping ability. Many species are metallic blue, green, or bronze.

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Did You Know?

Flea beetles can jump 100 times their body length in a single leap — they use an elastic protein pad in their hind legs that stores and releases energy like a catapult.