Dingy Skipper vs Gwynne's Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dingy Skipper Gwynne's Mining Bee
Scientific Name Erynnis tages Andrena bicolor
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Hesperiidae Andrenidae
Size 27-34 mm wingspan 8-10 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, temperate Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dingy Skipper

A small, moth-like butterfly with mottled grey-brown wings that rests with wings spread flat. It is easily overlooked due to its drab colouration.

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Did You Know?

On cool days it basks with wings open like a moth rather than holding them upright like most butterflies.

Gwynne's Mining Bee

A small, common mining bee with a two-toned appearance: dark brown thorax and orange-brown abdominal hair. It produces two generations per year in most of its range.

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Did You Know?

Its two annual generations visit completely different sets of flowers, with spring bees favoring trees and summer bees preferring brambles.