Argent and Sable Moth vs Abbott's Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Argent and Sable Moth	Abbott's Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name	Rheumaptera hastata	Sphecodina abbottii
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Geometridae	Sphingidae
Size	28-34 mm wingspan	50-70 mm
Habitat	Woodlands	Underground
Diet	Herbivores	Nectar Feeders
Regions	Northern Europe	Eastern North America
Conservation	Near Threatened	Least Concern

Argent and Sable Moth

A strikingly patterned black and white day-flying moth. Found on moorland and in birch woodland. Has declined severely in southern parts of its range. Named from heraldic terms.

💡

Did You Know?

Named using heraldic terms: 'argent' for silver/white and 'sable' for black, describing its bold pattern.

Abbott's Sphinx Moth

A unique hawk moth with scalloped brown wings and a yellow and brown banded body resembling a large hornet. Its flight is rapid and bee-like, flying mainly at dusk.

💡

Did You Know?

Abbott's sphinx is named after John Abbott, an 18th-century English naturalist who produced over 3,000 paintings of Georgian insects.