Common Tree Nymph vs European Oil Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Tree Nymph | European Oil Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Idea stolli | Macropis europaea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 130-170 mm wingspan | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Borneo, Sulawesi, Philippines, Maluku) | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Common Tree Nymph
A very large butterfly with translucent white wings heavily veined and spotted in black. It flies with a slow, lazy, paper-kite fluttering motion through the forest understory.
Did You Know?
Its slow, floating flight advertises its toxicity to predators - the caterpillars store alkaloids from their host plants that persist into adulthood.
European Oil Bee
One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oils from yellow loosestrife flowers.
Did You Know?
It mixes collected floral oil with pollen to create a waterproof, long-lasting larval food that resists mold in its damp underground nests.