Chinese Peacock Swallowtail vs Pearly-banded Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Chinese Peacock Swallowtail Pearly-banded Bee
Scientific Name Papilio bianor Nomia melanderi
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Halictidae
Size Wingspan 80-110 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Chinese Peacock Swallowtail

A large swallowtail with dark wings that shimmer with brilliant blue-green iridescence. Its hindwings feature red and blue eyespot markings near the tails.

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Did You Know?

The stunning blue-green iridescence on its wings inspired research into photonic crystal nanostructures.

Pearly-banded Bee

A ground-nesting bee with pearly white abdominal bands vital for alfalfa pollination. Large nesting aggregations in alkaline soils can contain millions of individuals.

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Did You Know?

Farmers in the Pacific Northwest actively manage nesting sites to boost alfalfa seed yields.