Water Veneer Moth vs Guedin's Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Water Veneer Moth Guedin's Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Acentria ephemerella Macroglossum gyrans
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Sphingidae
Size 10-14 mm wingspan (males) 35-45 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Heathland
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, North America India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Water Veneer Moth

A unique aquatic moth whose larvae live entirely underwater in freshwater lakes. Females are often wingless and spend their whole lives below the water surface.

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Did You Know?

Wingless females mate underwater and never leave the lake where they were born.

Guedin's Hawk Moth

A small day-flying hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and orange-yellow hindwings. It hovers at flowers like a hummingbird and is widespread across tropical Asia.

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Did You Know?

Macroglossum gyrans can beat its wings over 70 times per second while hovering, producing the characteristic humming sound that gives its genus its name.