Spurge Hawkmoth vs Oak Pinhole Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spurge Hawkmoth | Oak Pinhole Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyles euphorbiae | Platypus cylindrus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 60-80 mm wingspan | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Gardens |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Europe |
| 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.
Oak Pinhole Borer
A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.
Did You Know?
One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.