Black Swallowtail vs Trimmer's Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Swallowtail Trimmer's Mining Bee
Scientific Name Papilio polyxenes Andrena trimmerana
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Andrenidae
Size 69-84 mm wingspan 10-12 mm
Habitat Gardens Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Swallowtail

Black butterfly with yellow spot bands and blue hindwing patches; orange and black eyespot on each hindwing. Common in gardens across eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars extend a foul-smelling orange forked organ called an osmeterium when threatened.

Trimmer's Mining Bee

A widespread spring mining bee with brownish-grey fur and a distinctive tooth on the hind femur. It forages on a wide range of early-blooming flowers.

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Did You Know?

The small femoral tooth on its hind leg distinguishes it from nearly all other European Andrena species.