Netelia Ichneumon Wasp vs Lime Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Netelia Ichneumon Wasp Lime Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Netelia melanura Mimas tiliae
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Sphingidae
Size 14-18 mm 55-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Netelia Ichneumon Wasp

A large orange ichneumon wasp attracted to light at night. Parasitizes noctuid moth caterpillars. Has a distinctive compressed, blade-like abdomen.

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Did You Know?

Regularly enters houses at night, attracted by lights, and can give a mild sting if handled.

Lime Hawk-moth

A beautifully scalloped hawk-moth with variable pink-green to brown colouration and dark central wing bands. Adults do not feed at all, living only on energy stored as caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.