Giant Resin Bee vs Japanese Oakblue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Resin Bee Japanese Oakblue
Scientific Name Megachile sculpturalis Arhopala japonica
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Megachilidae Lycaenidae
Size 14-24 mm 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions East Asia, North America, Europe East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Resin Bee

A large solitary bee originally from East Asia now invasive in North America and Europe. It uses tree resin and mud to seal its nesting cavities.

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Did You Know?

It was first detected in the US in 1994 and has spread rapidly across the eastern states.

Japanese Oakblue

A beautiful lycaenid butterfly with brilliant metallic blue upperwings and cryptic brown underwings. Found in oak forests where its larvae live in association with ants. Known as 'murasaki-shijimi.'

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars produce sweet secretions that attract ants, which then guard them from predators in a mutualistic relationship.