Silver-striped Hawk Moth vs California Root Borer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silver-striped Hawk Moth California Root Borer
Scientific Name Hippotion celerio Prionus californicus
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Sphingidae Cerambycidae
Size 60-80 mm wingspan 35-60 mm
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Root Feeders
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda) Western United States, British Columbia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Silver-striped Hawk Moth

A medium-sized hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and bright pink hindwings, featuring silver stripes along the body. It is a powerful migrant found throughout the tropics.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars have prominent eyespots that make them look like small snakes to deter predators.

California Root Borer

A massive prionine beetle found in western North America, one of the largest beetles in the region. Males have conspicuously large, serrated antennae. Larvae are root borers that attack both living and dead trees.

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Did You Know?

Larvae of this species have been found feeding on roots over 2 meters deep in the soil.