Muga Silk Moth vs Five-Spotted Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Muga Silk Moth Five-Spotted Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Antheraea assamensis Manduca quinquemaculata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Saturniidae Sphingidae
Size Wingspan 120-150 mm 95-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions India (Assam) Throughout North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Muga Silk Moth

A semi-domesticated wild silk moth producing a naturally golden silk unique to Assam, India. Its shimmering golden thread is one of the most expensive natural fibers.

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Did You Know?

Muga silk has a natural golden luster that actually improves with each washing over time.

Five-Spotted Hawk Moth

A large mottled gray moth whose caterpillar is the familiar tomato hornworm with a distinctive black horn. The adult has five pairs of yellow-orange spots on its abdomen.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar is frequently confused with the tobacco hornworm but can be distinguished by its V-shaped white markings instead of diagonal stripes.