Desert Globe Mallow Bee vs Sara Orangetip

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Globe Mallow Bee Sara Orangetip
Scientific Name Diadasia diminuta Anthocharis sara
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Pieridae
Size 8-12 mm 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Mountains
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Desert Globe Mallow Bee

A specialist solitary bee that visits only globe mallow flowers in the American Southwest. It lines its underground nest cells with an oily secretion to waterproof them.

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Did You Know?

Its extreme flower loyalty makes it one of the most efficient pollinators of globe mallow plants.

Sara Orangetip

Small white butterfly with vivid orange forewing tips and mottled greenish hindwing undersides. Flies early in spring in western North America.

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Did You Know?

Adults have a single short flight period in spring and are not seen for the rest of the year.