Wax Moth vs Lime Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wax Moth | Lime Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Galleria mellonella | Mimas tiliae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Pyralidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm wingspan | 55-70 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Worldwide | Europe, western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Wax Moth
A moth whose larvae feed on beeswax in bee hives, causing major damage to comb. Also famous in science as a model organism for testing antibiotics and studying insect immunity.
Did You Know?
Wax moth larvae can digest polyethylene plastic, offering potential for plastic waste degradation.
Lime Hawk-moth
A beautifully scalloped hawk-moth with variable pink-green to brown colouration and dark central wing bands. Adults do not feed at all, living only on energy stored as caterpillars.
Did You Know?
Its wing colour varies enormously, from bright salmon pink to deep olive green, even within the same brood.