Tormus Bee vs Yam Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tormus Bee Yam Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Perdita minima Theretra oldenlandiae
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Andrenidae Sphingidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 50-65 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southwestern United States South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tormus Bee

The smallest known bee in the world at under 2 mm in length. It is a solitary ground-nesting species found in the southwestern US deserts.

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Did You Know?

It is so tiny that it could comfortably fit inside the letter O on a printed page.

Yam Hawk Moth

A widespread tropical hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and contrasting dark and light lateral body stripes. Its larvae feed on a wide variety of plants including yams and grape vines.

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Did You Know?

This species is one of the most polyphagous hawk moths, with larvae recorded feeding on plants from more than a dozen different families.