Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee vs Indian Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee | Indian Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nomada leucophthalma | Aglais caschmirensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 55-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Himalayan region) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee
A wasp-like cuckoo bee with reddish-brown and yellow markings that parasitizes Andrena mining bees. It is one of the earliest flying spring bees in Europe.
Did You Know?
It closely resembles a small wasp rather than a bee, which helps it avoid being recognized as a threat by its hosts.
Indian Tortoiseshell
A beautiful butterfly with rich orange-brown wings edged with blue spots and irregular dark markings. It is found in the Himalayan highlands and is closely related to the European tortoiseshell butterflies.
Did You Know?
This butterfly can survive at elevations over 4000 meters in the Himalayas, basking on sun-warmed rocks to thermoregulate.