Tobacco Moth vs White-Lined Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tobacco Moth | White-Lined Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephestia elutella | Hyles lineata |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm body; 14-20 mm wingspan | 65-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Indoors | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide in temperate and subtropical regions | Throughout North America from Canada to Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tobacco Moth
A small greyish-brown moth that primarily infests stored tobacco but also attacks cocoa, cereals, and dried fruits. It is cold-tolerant and problematic in temperate warehouse environments.
Did You Know?
It is more cold-hardy than most stored product moths and can complete development at temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth
A common sphinx moth with bold white stripes on its forewings and a pink-banded hindwing. It hovers at flowers like a hummingbird and is active at dusk.
Did You Know?
During outbreak years, its caterpillars can be so numerous they cross roads in large numbers and are called armyworms.