Geranium Bronze vs Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Geranium Bronze | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacyreus marshalli | Psithyrus vestalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Apidae |
| Size | 18-23 mm wingspan | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasites |
| Regions | Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Geranium Bronze
A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.
Did You Know?
Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.
Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.