Pine Hawk-moth vs Splendid Ground Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pine Hawk-moth Splendid Ground Beetle
Scientific Name Sphinx pinastri Carabus splendens
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Carabidae
Size 70-87 mm wingspan 22-32 mm
Habitat Farmland Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Pyrenees (France and Spain)
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Pine Hawk-moth

A sleek grey hawk-moth with dark streaks that provide perfect camouflage against pine bark. It is strongly associated with conifer plantations and native pinewoods.

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Did You Know?

When resting on a pine trunk, its streamlined body and bark-like colouring make it almost impossible to spot.

Splendid Ground Beetle

A dazzling green and gold ground beetle endemic to the Pyrenees mountains. It is prized by collectors for its brilliant metallic sheen.

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Did You Know?

Its range is restricted to a narrow band of the Pyrenees, making it one of Europe's most localised Carabus species.