Common Mormon vs Copper-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Mormon | Copper-tailed Cuckoo Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Papilio polytes | Chrysis succincta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 90-100 mm wingspan | 5-9 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Mormon
Males are plain black with a cream band; females occur in multiple forms mimicking different toxic species. A textbook example of female-limited polymorphism.
Did You Know?
A single gene called doublesex controls the switch between its mimetic female forms.
Copper-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
A medium-sized cuckoo wasp with a metallic green forebody and a warm coppery-gold abdomen. It parasitizes the nests of cavity-nesting solitary bees.
Did You Know?
Its heavy, pitted exoskeleton acts like armor plating, protecting it from the stings of host wasps defending their nests.