Waterlily Borer Moth vs Coffee Bee Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Waterlily Borer Moth | Coffee Bee Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Elophila gyralis | Cephonodes picus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm wingspan | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | East Africa, Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Waterlily Borer Moth
A small pale brown moth with wavy dark lines across its wings. Its larvae are aquatic, living underwater in cases made from fragments of waterlily leaves.
Did You Know?
The larvae breathe underwater using modified gills and never surface until they are ready to pupate.
Coffee Bee Hawk Moth
A smaller clearwing hawk moth with transparent wings and a compact olive and yellow body. It is often found around coffee plantations in Africa where its larvae feed on Rubiaceae.
Did You Know?
This species is sometimes considered a minor pest of coffee plantations in East Africa, where its caterpillars can defoliate young coffee plants.