Tersa Sphinx Moth vs Acraea Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tersa Sphinx Moth | Acraea Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xylophanes tersa | Acraea acerata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 60-80 mm | 45-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern United States, Central America, South America | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tersa Sphinx Moth
A sleek hawk moth with narrow, pointed forewings in lavender-gray with darker streaks. It is a fast and agile flier found throughout the Americas.
Did You Know?
The tersa sphinx caterpillar has a series of large eyespots along its body that create a convincing snake-mimic appearance.
Acraea Butterfly
A medium-sized butterfly with translucent orange wings and dark veins, giving it a delicate, window-like appearance. It is toxic and part of a large mimicry ring in East Africa.
Did You Know?
It is a significant pest of sweet potato crops in East Africa, with larvae sometimes completely defoliating plants.