Yam Hawk Moth vs Double-banded Scoliid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Yam Hawk Moth	Double-banded Scoliid
Scientific Name	Theretra oldenlandiae	Scolia bicincta
Order	Lepidoptera	Hymenoptera
Family	Sphingidae	Scoliidae
Size	50-65 mm	15-22 mm
Habitat	Underground	Gardens
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Nectar Feeders
Regions	South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia	Eastern North America
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

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.

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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.

Double-banded Scoliid

A robust black wasp with two prominent yellow bands across the abdomen. It is a beneficial garden insect that parasitizes scarab beetle grubs in lawns.

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Did You Know?

Gardeners often mistake it for a dangerous wasp, but it is actually a beneficial predator of lawn-destroying grubs.