Citrus Swallowtail vs Dawson's Burrowing Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Citrus Swallowtail | Dawson's Burrowing Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio demodocus | Amegilla dawsoni |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Apidae |
| Size | 90-120 mm wingspan | 18-24 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar | Western Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Citrus Swallowtail
A common large swallowtail with cream and black patterned wings and blue-red eyespots on the hindwings. It is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa.
Did You Know?
Caterpillars have a forked orange osmeterium they inflate from behind their head to deter predators with a foul smell.
Dawson's Burrowing Bee
A large solitary bee endemic to Western Australia that nests in massive aggregations in hardpan clay. Males engage in violent aerial combat to mate with emerging females.
Did You Know?
Male combat is so fierce that individuals frequently die from injuries sustained during mating battles.