Tiger Moth of the Amazon vs Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tiger Moth of the Amazon Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Idalus herois Hemaris tityus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Erebidae Sphingidae
Size 50-65 mm wingspan 38-45 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern (declining in western Europe)

Tiger Moth of the Amazon

A striking moth with bold black and white striped forewings and orange hind wings with black spots. The bright colors serve as aposematic warning signals.

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Did You Know?

When attacked, it produces ultrasonic clicks that jam bat echolocation sonar, rendering itself invisible to hunting bats.

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings and a furry olive-and-brown body. It flies by day, hovering at flowers in a manner indistinguishable from a real bee.

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Did You Know?

The wing scales fall off during its first flight, leaving the characteristic clear patches.