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.


Side-by-side comparison
- 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
1 to 3 grams

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.

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Death's-head hawkmoth

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Hummingbird hawk-moth

