Cloudless Sulphur vs Blue Orchard Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cloudless Sulphur Blue Orchard Bee
Scientific Name Phoebis sennae Osmia lignaria
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pieridae Megachilidae
Size 54-80 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America, South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cloudless Sulphur

Large unmarked lemon-yellow butterfly; females may have faint spots. Common and conspicuous across the southern United States.

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Did You Know?

Large fall migrations of thousands can be seen streaming southward along the Atlantic coast.

Blue Orchard Bee

A metallic dark blue solitary bee that nests in pre-existing holes in wood. It is an exceptionally efficient pollinator of fruit trees, significantly outperforming honey bees per individual.

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Did You Know?

A single blue orchard bee can pollinate as effectively as 60 to 80 honey bees, making them increasingly important for commercial fruit production.