Tropical Warehouse Moth vs Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Warehouse Moth | Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ephestia cautella | Acherontia styx |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm body; 15-22 mm wingspan | 80-115 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide | South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tropical Warehouse Moth
A common pest of stored products in tropical and subtropical warehouses. Its larvae produce frass and webbing that contaminate large quantities of stored commodities.
Did You Know?
It is the most economically damaging moth pest of stored cocoa beans in West Africa.
Lesser Death's-head Hawk Moth
An Asian relative of the death's-head hawk moth, similarly marked with a skull pattern on the thorax. It is slightly smaller but equally capable of entering beehives to feed on honey.
Did You Know?
Like its European cousin, Acherontia styx can produce a squeaking sound by forcing air through its proboscis, which may mimic queen bee pheromones to pacify guard bees.