Desert Large-headed Bee vs Brazilian Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Large-headed Bee Brazilian Skipper
Scientific Name Ctenocolletes nigricans Calpodes ethlius
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Stenotritidae Hesperiidae
Size 11-15 mm 45-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Central and Western Australia Southern United States through Central America and South America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Desert Large-headed Bee

A dark-bodied, heat-tolerant bee found in arid inland Australia. It forages during the hottest parts of the day when most other bees are inactive.

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Did You Know?

It can remain active in ambient temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that would ground most other bee species.

Brazilian Skipper

A robust brown skipper butterfly with translucent white spots on the forewings. Its larvae build leaf shelters on canna lily plants.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars are sometimes called canna leafrollers because they roll and silk-tie canna leaves into tube-shaped shelters.