African Honey Bee vs Arctic Sulphur

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Honey Bee Arctic Sulphur
Scientific Name Apis mellifera scutellata Colias nastes
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Pieridae
Size Workers 10-13 mm 36-46 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Tundra & Arctic
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions East Africa, Southern Africa Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Rocky Mountain alpine zones
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Honey Bee

The African subspecies of the western honey bee, known for its defensive behavior and high productivity. It is slightly smaller than European honey bees.

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Did You Know?

When introduced to the Americas in 1957, they hybridized with European bees to produce the so-called 'Africanized' killer bees.

Arctic Sulphur

A pale greenish-white butterfly with dusky wing margins and small dark discal spots. Its subdued coloration helps it absorb warmth while basking with wings spread. It rarely strays far from its alpine or arctic habitat.

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Did You Know?

On overcast days, this butterfly can raise its body temperature 10 degrees above air temperature by basking laterally to maximize solar absorption.