Gold-fringed Mason Bee vs Glanville Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gold-fringed Mason Bee | Glanville Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Osmia aurulenta | Melitaea cinxia |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 33-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Europe, temperate Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern (rare in Britain) |
Gold-fringed Mason Bee
A distinctive solitary bee that nests inside empty snail shells on warm hillsides. Females cover the shell with grass and debris for camouflage after laying eggs.
Did You Know?
It exclusively nests in snail shells, carefully selecting ones of the right size for its brood.
Glanville Fritillary
An orange and black chequered butterfly confined in Britain to the Isle of Wight's coastal cliffs. It was named after Lady Eleanor Glanville, an eccentric 17th-century collector.
Did You Know?
Lady Glanville's relatives tried to have her will annulled, claiming only a lunatic would collect butterflies.