Eastern Tailed-Blue vs Crotch's Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Eastern Tailed-Blue	Crotch's Bumblebee
Scientific Name	Cupido comyntas	Bombus crotchii
Order	Lepidoptera	Hymenoptera
Family	Lycaenidae	Apidae
Size	20-29 mm wingspan	10-16 mm
Habitat	Grasslands	Heathland
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Nectar Feeders
Regions	North America	California, western USA
Conservation	Least Concern	Endangered

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Tiny blue butterfly with thin tails on the hindwings and orange spots near the tail. One of the smallest and most common butterflies in eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

Its tiny hindwing tails mimic antennae, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end.

Crotch's Bumblebee

A western North American bumblebee that has declined by over 90% from its historical range. Once common in California's Central Valley. Threatened by pesticides and habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Has vanished from most of California's agricultural Central Valley where it was once the dominant bumblebee.