All comparisons

Death's-head hawkmoth vs Hummingbird hawk-moth

How does the Death's-head hawkmoth compare to the Hummingbird hawk-moth? They are both members of the Sphingidae family. Below we put their classification, habitat, diet, size, and conservation status side by side — and settle who would win in a fight.

Death's-head hawkmoth
Hummingbird hawk-moth

Side-by-side comparison

Death's-head hawkmoth
Hummingbird hawk-moth
Scientific name
Acherontia atropos
Macroglossum stellatarum
Classification
Invertebrate
Invertebrate
Family
Sphingidae
Sphingidae
Habitat
Open woodland, gardens, and farmlands
Gardens, meadows, open woodlands, and grasslands
Diet
Omnivore
Herbivore
Conservation status
Least Concern
Least Concern
Lifespan
3 to 5 weeks (adult stage)
2-6 months (adult phase typically a few weeks)
Weight
1 to 3 grams
0.3–0.5 grams

Death's-head hawkmoth vs Hummingbird hawk-moth: who would win?

Death's-head hawkmoth

Death's-head hawkmoth

1 to 3 grams

VS
Hummingbird hawk-moth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

0.3–0.5 grams

Death's-head hawkmoth wins high confidence

Death's-head hawkmoth is substantially heavier (1 to 3 grams vs 0.3–0.5 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

Similarities

  • Both are invertebrates.
  • Both belong to the Sphingidae family.
  • Both are listed as Least Concern.

Differences

  • Habitat: Open woodland, gardens, and farmlands vs Gardens, meadows, open woodlands, and grasslands.
  • Diet: omnivore vs herbivore.
  • Weight: 1 to 3 grams vs 0.3–0.5 grams.

Death's-head hawkmoth vs Hummingbird hawk-moth: FAQ

Who would win in a fight, a Death's-head hawkmoth or a Hummingbird hawk-moth?

Death's-head hawkmoth wins. Death's-head hawkmoth is substantially heavier (1 to 3 grams vs 0.3–0.5 grams). In a physical confrontation that size and power advantage is usually decisive. In the wild these two rarely (if ever) meet — this is a what-if based on the size and diet we have on record, not a prediction.

What is the difference between a Death's-head hawkmoth and a Hummingbird hawk-moth?

Death's-head hawkmoth and Hummingbird hawk-moth differ in several ways — habitat: open woodland, gardens, and farmlands vs gardens, meadows, open woodlands, and grasslands. diet: omnivore vs herbivore. weight: 1 to 3 grams vs 0.3–0.5 grams.

Do Death's-head hawkmoth and Hummingbird hawk-moth live in the same habitat?

No — Death's-head hawkmoth lives in open woodland, gardens, and farmlands, while Hummingbird hawk-moth is found in gardens, meadows, open woodlands, and grasslands.

What do Death's-head hawkmoth and Hummingbird hawk-moth eat?

Death's-head hawkmoth has a omnivore diet, while Hummingbird hawk-moth has a herbivore diet.

Which is more endangered, the Death's-head hawkmoth or the Hummingbird hawk-moth?

Death's-head hawkmoth is listed as Least Concern, while Hummingbird hawk-moth is listed as Least Concern.

How big are Death's-head hawkmoth and Hummingbird hawk-moth?

Death's-head hawkmoth weighs around 1 to 3 grams, while Hummingbird hawk-moth weighs around 0.3–0.5 grams.

Death's-head hawkmoth

Full profile

Death's-head hawkmoth

Hummingbird hawk-moth

Full profile

Hummingbird hawk-moth