Metallic Green Leaf Beetle vs Death Head Hawkmoth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Green Leaf Beetle Death Head Hawkmoth
Scientific Name Plagiodera versicolora Acherontia atropos
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Sphingidae
Size 3-5 mm 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia, North America Africa, Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Metallic Green Leaf Beetle

A small, rounded beetle with shiny metallic blue-green to dark green elytra. It is one of the most common willow-feeding beetles in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Did You Know?

It can produce multiple generations per year and may overwinter as adults in bark crevices and leaf litter near willow stands.

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.