Gold Swift vs Blood Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gold Swift | Blood Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatopus hecta | Sphecodes monilicornis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm wingspan | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gold Swift
A small primitive moth with golden-brown forewings marked with silvery-white spots. Males perform hovering display flights at dusk, dangling their legs and releasing pheromones.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed underground on bracken roots for two years before pupating in the soil.
Blood Bee
A cleptoparasitic bee with a bright red abdomen and black head that attacks the nests of furrow bees. Females enter host nests to lay eggs that hatch and consume the host provisions.
Did You Know?
Its blood-red abdomen is the source of its common name and makes it look more like a ruby-colored ant than a bee.