Gold Cuckoo Wasp vs Snowberry Clearwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gold Cuckoo Wasp | Snowberry Clearwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis fasciata | Hemaris diffinis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 32-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gold Cuckoo Wasp
A brilliant green and gold metallic cuckoo wasp found across southern Europe. It parasitizes the nests of potter wasps and mud daubers.
Did You Know?
Its metallic coloration is produced by nanoscale structures in the cuticle rather than pigments, similar to how opals create color.
Snowberry Clearwing
A bumblebee mimic with largely transparent wings bordered in dark brown, a fuzzy olive thorax, and black and yellow banding on the abdomen. It feeds while hovering at flowers.
Did You Know?
This moth is born with scales on its wings but they fall off during the first flight, leaving the characteristic clear windows.