Spanish Festoon vs Death Head Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spanish Festoon Death Head Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Zerynthia rumina Acherontia lachesis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Papilionidae Sphingidae
Size 42-52 mm wingspan 100-130 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Southern Europe Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spanish Festoon

A brightly patterned butterfly with zigzag black markings and red and yellow patches on its wings. It is a spring-flying species restricted to the western Mediterranean.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillar feeds on toxic birthwort plants, making both larva and adult distasteful to birds.

Death Head Hawk Moth

An Asian death head moth that squeaks loudly and raids bee hives for honey.

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Did You Know?

It produces a chemical that mimics bee pheromones to avoid attack inside hives.