Spurge Hawkmoth vs Australian Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spurge Hawkmoth | Australian Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyles euphorbiae | Cicindela hudsoni |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 60-80 mm wingspan | 18-22 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Spurge Hawkmoth
A striking hawkmoth with olive and pink forewings and rosy-red hindwings with a black base. Its caterpillar is equally spectacular with red, black, yellow, and white markings.
Did You Know?
It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive leafy spurge.
Australian Tiger Beetle
The fastest running insect on Earth, clocked at 2.5 meters per second (9 km/h). At 125 body lengths per second, it moves so fast it temporarily goes blind while running.
Did You Know?
This beetle runs so fast that its visual system cannot keep up — it must stop periodically to relocate its prey because its eyes blur during full-speed sprints.