Cellophane Bee vs African Migrant Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cellophane Bee African Migrant Butterfly
Scientific Name Colletes thoracicus Catopsilia florella
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Colletidae Pieridae
Size 10-12 mm 55-70 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cellophane Bee

A spring-flying plasterer bee native to eastern North America with dense reddish-brown thoracic hair. It lines its brood cells with a secreted polyester-like film.

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Did You Know?

The transparent polyester lining it secretes is waterproof, fungus-resistant, and chemically similar to commercial plastic wrap.

African Migrant Butterfly

A large white to greenish-yellow pierid butterfly that undertakes massive migrations across Africa. Males are white while females are often greenish.

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Did You Know?

Migrating swarms can be so dense they have been reported to delay trains and cause traffic accidents.