Madagascan Sphinx Moth vs Yellow-Legged Horntail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Madagascan Sphinx Moth Yellow-Legged Horntail
Scientific Name Xanthopan praedicta Urocerus augur
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphingidae Siricidae
Size 130-150 mm wingspan 20-30 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Madagascar East Asia, Japan
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.

Yellow-Legged Horntail

A large, dark-bodied wood wasp with bright yellow legs that contrast sharply with its blue-black body. Found primarily in conifer forests of eastern Asia.

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Did You Know?

Like all horntails, the short horn-like projection at the tail is not a stinger but a structural feature called a cornus, present in both sexes.