Madagascan Sphinx Moth vs Japanese Clouded Yellow

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Madagascan Sphinx Moth Japanese Clouded Yellow
Scientific Name Xanthopan praedicta Colias erate
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Pieridae
Size 130-150 mm wingspan 40-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Madagascar East Asia, Japan/Korea
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Madagascan Sphinx Moth

A hawkmoth with an extraordinarily long proboscis, endemic to Madagascar. Darwin famously predicted its existence based on a deep orchid.

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Did You Know?

Its proboscis can reach up to 30 cm long to access nectar from Angraecum sesquipedale orchids.

Japanese Clouded Yellow

Known as 'monjiro-cho' in Japanese, a common yellow butterfly found in open grasslands. Males are bright yellow while females may be white or yellow. A familiar sight in Japanese fields.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly is so common in Japan that it is one of the first butterflies children learn to identify, and it features in many Japanese children's songs.