Lime Hawk-moth vs Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lime Hawk-moth | Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mimas tiliae | Malacosoma disstria |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Lasiocampidae |
| Size | 55-70 mm wingspan | 25–35 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Did You Know?
Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.
Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth
A widespread North American moth whose caterpillars defoliate vast areas of hardwood forest. Despite the name, they form silken mats rather than true tents.
Did You Know?
Outbreaks can defoliate millions of hectares of forest, though healthy trees usually recover with new leaves.