Adonis Blue vs European Oil Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Adonis Blue | European Oil Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lysandra bellargus | Macropis europaea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 30-36 mm wingspan | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Adonis Blue
Males are an intense sky-blue with a chequered fringe; females are brown. Restricted to chalk and limestone grasslands.
Did You Know?
It is considered one of the most brilliantly blue butterflies in Europe.
European Oil Bee
One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oils from yellow loosestrife flowers.
Did You Know?
It mixes collected floral oil with pollen to create a waterproof, long-lasting larval food that resists mold in its damp underground nests.