Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge vs Poplar Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge Poplar Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Glossosoma nigrior Laothoe populi
Order Trichoptera Lepidoptera
Family Glossosomatidae Sphingidae
Size 5-8 mm 65-90 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Little Tan Short-Horn Sedge

A small, abundant caddisfly of eastern North American streams. Larvae build tortoise-shell-shaped cases of fine gravel and are important grazers.

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Did You Know?

Grazing by dense populations can visibly reduce algal cover on stream rocks.

Poplar Hawk-moth

A large grey-brown hawk-moth that holds its hindwings forward of the forewings at rest, creating an unusual silhouette. It is the most common hawk-moth across much of Europe.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, it reveals a rust-orange patch on its hindwings to startle predators before dropping to the ground.