Sertania Metalmark vs Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sertania Metalmark Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Sertania circumdata Acherontia styx
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Riodinidae Sphingidae
Size 22-28 mm wingspan 80-115 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions South America South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sertania Metalmark

Small brown butterfly with orange patches and metallic scaling on the underside. Endemic to the Brazilian cerrado biome.

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Did You Know?

Its range is restricted almost entirely to the threatened cerrado savanna biome of Brazil.

Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth

An Asian relative of the death's-head hawk moth, similarly marked with a skull pattern on the thorax. It is slightly smaller but equally capable of entering beehives to feed on honey.

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Did You Know?

Like its European cousin, Acherontia styx can produce a squeaking sound by forcing air through its proboscis, which may mimic queen bee pheromones to pacify guard bees.