Walnut Sphinx Moth vs Pine Processionary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Walnut Sphinx Moth | Pine Processionary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amorpha juglandis | Thaumetopoea pityocampa |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 50-75 mm | 36-42 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East |
| 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.
Did You Know?
The walnut sphinx caterpillar can produce a high-pitched whistle by forcing air through its spiracles, startling birds and other predators.
Pine Processionary
A grey moth whose caterpillars march in long nose-to-tail processions between their silk nests and feeding sites. The larvae's urticating hairs cause severe allergic reactions.
Did You Know?
Jean-Henri Fabre once tricked a procession into following itself in a circle for seven days without stopping.