Longicorn Beetle vs Death Head Hawkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Longicorn Beetle Death Head Hawkmoth
Scientific Name Phoracantha semipunctata Acherontia atropos
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Cerambycidae Sphingidae
Size 20-30 mm body length 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Australia Africa, Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Longicorn Beetle

A brown and cream longhorn beetle with extremely long antennae that infests stressed eucalypts. It has become a significant invasive pest of eucalyptus plantations worldwide.

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Did You Know?

It has invaded every continent where eucalypts have been planted, including Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Death Head Hawkmoth

Famous for the skull-like pattern on its thorax. Can emit a loud squeak when disturbed. Raids beehives by mimicking bee scent to steal honey.

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Did You Know?

Deaths-head hawkmoths invade beehives by releasing a chemical that mimics the scent of bees, allowing them to walk in unbothered and feast on honey.