Queen Butterfly vs Pine Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Queen Butterfly | Pine Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Danaus gilippus | Sphinx pinastri |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 67-78 mm wingspan | 70-87 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern USA, Central and South America | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Queen Butterfly
A close relative of the Monarch butterfly with similar orange coloring but darker. Found across the Americas. Like the Monarch, it sequesters toxic cardenolides from milkweed.
Did You Know?
A close cousin of the Monarch that is equally toxic but does not undertake the same famous migration.
Pine Hawk-moth
A sleek grey hawk-moth with dark streaks that provide perfect camouflage against pine bark. It is strongly associated with conifer plantations and native pinewoods.
Did You Know?
When resting on a pine trunk, its streamlined body and bark-like colouring make it almost impossible to spot.