White-letter Hairstreak vs Amazon Sphinx Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-letter Hairstreak Amazon Sphinx Moth
Scientific Name Satyrium w-album Cocytius antaeus
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lycaenidae Sphingidae
Size Wingspan 26-30mm 130-175 mm wingspan
Habitat Hedgerows Underground
Diet Seed Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Brazil, Central America, Caribbean, southern United States
Conservation Near Threatened Not Evaluated

White-letter Hairstreak

A small dark butterfly with a distinctive W-shaped white line on the hindwing underside. Breeds on elm.

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Did You Know?

Has declined dramatically due to Dutch elm disease destroying its food plant across Europe.

Amazon Sphinx Moth

One of the largest sphinx moths in the Americas with a long, narrow body and pointed wings. Its tongue can exceed 30 centimeters in length.

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Did You Know?

Its extraordinarily long proboscis evolved alongside deep-tubed orchids in a classic example of co-evolution.