Chimera Birdwing vs Cape Oil-collecting Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chimera Birdwing | Cape Oil-collecting Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithoptera chimaera | Rediviva neliana |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 140-190 mm wingspan | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (Papua New Guinea - highlands) | South Africa |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Data Deficient |
Chimera Birdwing
A large montane birdwing butterfly found in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. It occurs at elevations between 1200 and 2000 metres, higher than most other birdwings. Males have bright green and gold markings on black wings.
Did You Know?
Named after the chimera of Greek mythology, this butterfly's iridescent wing colours shift dramatically depending on the angle of light.
Cape Oil-collecting Bee
A South African oil-collecting bee with extraordinarily long front legs used to extract floral oil from deep-spurred Diascia flowers. It is a solitary ground-nesting species.
Did You Know?
Its front legs can be longer than its entire body, an extreme adaptation for reaching oils at the bottom of deep flower spurs.