Lunar Hornet Moth vs Turanian Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lunar Hornet Moth Turanian Snakefly
Scientific Name Sesia bembeciformis Turcoraphidia amara
Order Lepidoptera Raphidioptera
Family Sesiidae Raphidiidae
Size 30–42 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Central Asia, Turkey, Iran
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

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.

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Did You Know?

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

Turanian Snakefly

A snakefly native to Central Asia and the Middle East, inhabiting arid mountainous woodlands. It is one of the few raphidiopterans adapted to semi-arid environments.

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Did You Know?

Turanian snakeflies thrive in some of the driest habitats occupied by any raphidiopteran species.