Bitter Blue vs Asian Mud Dauber

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bitter Blue Asian Mud Dauber
Scientific Name Theclinesthes miskini Sceliphron curvatum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Lycaenidae Sphecidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 15-25 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia Central Asia, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bitter Blue

Small blue and brown butterfly with spotted gray undersides. Commonly found around its host plant in Australian coastal areas.

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Did You Know?

It is tended by several species of ants that protect the caterpillars in exchange for honeydew.

Asian Mud Dauber

A dark-bodied mud dauber originally from Central Asia now invasive across Europe. It builds mud nests inside buildings and provisions them with spiders.

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Did You Know?

It spread from its native range in India and Central Asia to colonize most of southern and central Europe within just 30 years.