Small Elephant Hawk Moth vs Red-tailed Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Elephant Hawk Moth Red-tailed Bumblebee
Scientific Name Deilephila porcellus Bombus lapidarius
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphingidae Apidae
Size 40-52 mm 11-22 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Central Asia Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Small Elephant Hawk Moth

A smaller relative of the elephant hawk moth, with delicate pink and yellow-olive coloring. It is found in grasslands and meadows where bedstraw grows abundantly.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called 'small,' this moth is still impressively sized compared to most Lepidoptera, with a wingspan approaching that of many butterfly species.

Red-tailed Bumblebee

A jet-black bumblebee with a vivid orange-red tail that is unmistakable in flight. It commonly nests underground in old mouse burrows and stone walls.

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Did You Know?

Its nest name 'lapidarius' means 'of stones' because it often nests beneath rocks and walls.