Pandora Sphinx Moth vs Water Strider

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pandora Sphinx Moth Water Strider
Scientific Name Eumorpha pandorus Gerris lacustris
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Sphingidae Gerridae
Size 82-115 mm wingspan 8-10 mm
Habitat Orchards Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pandora Sphinx Moth

A large sphinx moth with olive-green forewings marked with darker patches and pink hindwings. Its caterpillar has a large eyespot that makes it resemble a small snake.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar can retract its head into its thorax to inflate the eyespot and look more threatening.

Water Strider

Walks on water using hydrophobic leg hairs that trap air. Each leg has thousands of microscopic grooved hairs. Can detect prey vibrations on the water surface from centimeters away.

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Did You Know?

Water striders have over 1,000 microscopic hairs per mm on their legs — each hair has nano-grooves that trap air, making their feet essentially unwettable.