Lunar Hornet Moth vs Japanese Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lunar Hornet Moth Japanese Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Sesia bembeciformis Carabus insulicola
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sesiidae Carabidae
Size 30–42 mm wingspan 22-30 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Japan
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Lunar Hornet Moth

A large clearwing moth that mimics a hornet and bores into willow and sallow trunks. Adults emerge in midsummer and are active in sunshine.

💡

Did You Know?

The empty pupal skin can be found protruding from the exit hole on willow trunks long after the moth has emerged.

Japanese Ground Beetle

A large, dark beetle with coppery-bronze elytra found in Japanese mountain forests. It is flightless and shows considerable variation between island populations.

💡

Did You Know?

Isolated populations on different Japanese islands have diverged into distinct colour forms, making them popular among collectors.