Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth vs African Giant Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth African Giant Swallowtail
Scientific Name Smerinthus jamaicensis Papilio antimachus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Papilionidae
Size 55-80 mm 180-250 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Omnivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Twin-spotted Sphinx Moth

A medium-sized hawk moth with scalloped gray-brown forewings and blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When threatened, it reveals these spots in a startling flash display.

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Did You Know?

The twin-spotted sphinx can raise its body temperature to 35 degrees Celsius through rapid wing vibrations before taking flight on cool nights.

African Giant Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in Africa with a wingspan of up to 250 mm. It flies at great heights in the canopy and is rarely seen by casual observers.

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Did You Know?

It is believed to be toxic to predators and is one of the few butterflies that has no known mimics.