Gold Swift vs Hairy-saddled Colletes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gold Swift | Hairy-saddled Colletes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatopus hecta | Colletes succinctus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Colletidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm wingspan | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Hairy-saddled Colletes
A late-summer plasterer bee that is a specialist on heather, secreting a cellophane-like lining in its underground nest cells. It is an important heathland indicator species.
Did You Know?
The cellophane-like substance it secretes to waterproof its nest cells is a unique biopolymer not found in any other group of animals.