Walnut Sphinx Moth vs Eyed Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Walnut Sphinx Moth Eyed Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Amorpha juglandis Smerinthus ocellatus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Sphingidae
Size 50-75 mm 70-95 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Predators
Regions Eastern North America Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Walnut Sphinx Moth

A beautifully cryptic hawk moth with scalloped wing edges and mottled brown, gray, and lavender patterns. It rests among leaf litter where it is nearly impossible to detect.

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Did You Know?

The walnut sphinx caterpillar can produce a high-pitched whistle by forcing air through its spiracles, startling birds and other predators.

Eyed Hawk-moth

A large hawk-moth with cryptic brown forewings that conceal vivid blue and black eyespots on the hindwings. When startled, it flashes its eyespots to frighten predators.

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Did You Know?

The flash of its eyespots has been shown experimentally to startle birds into abandoning their attack.