Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee vs Clouded Yellow
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee | Clouded Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megachile rotundata | Colias croceus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 7-9 mm | Wingspan 46-54mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America, Europe, introduced to other regions | Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee
A small solitary bee that cuts precise circular pieces from leaves to construct nest cells. It is the most important managed pollinator of alfalfa seed crops in North America.
Did You Know?
Alfalfa seed yields increased up to 1,000% when this bee was introduced as a managed pollinator.
Clouded Yellow
A fast-flying bright orange-yellow butterfly with black wing borders. A pale female form called helice has greenish-white wings instead of orange.
Did You Know?
It migrates north from the Mediterranean each year but the return generation flies south at such high altitude it is rarely observed.