White-Lined Sphinx Moth vs Yam Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-Lined Sphinx Moth Yam Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Hyles lineata Theretra oldenlandiae
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Sphingidae Sphingidae
Size 65-90 mm wingspan 50-65 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Throughout North America from Canada to Central America South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White-Lined Sphinx Moth

A common sphinx moth with bold white stripes on its forewings and a pink-banded hindwing. It hovers at flowers like a hummingbird and is active at dusk.

💡

Did You Know?

During outbreak years, its caterpillars can be so numerous they cross roads in large numbers and are called armyworms.

Yam Hawk Moth

A widespread tropical hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and contrasting dark and light lateral body stripes. Its larvae feed on a wide variety of plants including yams and grape vines.

💡

Did You Know?

This species is one of the most polyphagous hawk moths, with larvae recorded feeding on plants from more than a dozen different families.