Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Coffee Bee Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ragwort Flea Beetle | Coffee Bee Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Longitarsus jacobaeae | Cephonodes picus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | East Africa, Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ragwort Flea Beetle
A small black flea beetle that feeds on ragwort plants. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive ragwort in Australia and New Zealand. Larvae mine in roots.
Did You Know?
One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.
Coffee Bee Hawk Moth
A smaller clearwing hawk moth with transparent wings and a compact olive and yellow body. It is often found around coffee plantations in Africa where its larvae feed on Rubiaceae.
Did You Know?
This species is sometimes considered a minor pest of coffee plantations in East Africa, where its caterpillars can defoliate young coffee plants.