Tanbark Borer vs Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tanbark Borer | Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatodes testaceus | Smerinthus jamaicensis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 8-17 mm | 55-80 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, introduced to North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tanbark Borer
A small, highly variable cerambycid ranging from pale yellow to dark brown or violet. It breeds under the bark of recently dead oaks across Europe and North America. Adults are nocturnal and come freely to lights.
Did You Know?
Color variation in this species is so extreme that over a dozen color forms have been named, all belonging to one species.
Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth
A medium-sized hawk moth with scalloped gray-brown forewings and blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When threatened, it reveals these spots in a startling flash display.
Did You Know?
The twin-spotted sphinx can raise its body temperature to 35 degrees Celsius through rapid wing vibrations before taking flight on cool nights.