Dawson's Burrowing Bee vs African Moon Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dawson's Burrowing Bee African Moon Moth
Scientific Name Amegilla dawsoni Argema mimosae
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Saturniidae
Size 18-24 mm Wingspan 100-120mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Western Australia Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

Male combat is so fierce that individuals frequently die from injuries sustained during mating battles.

African Moon Moth

A large pale green silk moth with long hindwing tails and maroon eyespots on each wing. Males have broad feathery antennae.

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Did You Know?

It is closely related to the Madagascan comet moth but has shorter tails and a wider African distribution.