Broad-faced Sweat Bee vs Paradise Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-faced Sweat Bee Paradise Birdwing
Scientific Name Lasioglossum platycephalum Ornithoptera paradisea
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Halictidae Papilionidae
Size 7-9 mm 120-170 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Oceania (Papua New Guinea)
Conservation Near Threatened Vulnerable

Broad-faced Sweat Bee

A rare and distinctive European furrow bee with an unusually broad, flattened head. It nests in sandy or gravelly soils and has become scarce throughout much of its range.

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Did You Know?

Its flattened head shape is thought to be an adaptation for more efficiently excavating nest tunnels in compacted sandy soil.

Paradise Birdwing

A spectacular birdwing butterfly endemic to Papua New Guinea, notable for the elongated tails on the male's hindwings. Males display brilliant green and gold colouration. It is found in lowland and hill forests.

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Did You Know?

The male's long hindwing tails trail behind in flight, creating a spectacularly graceful display reminiscent of a bird of paradise.