Helicopter Metalmark vs Anthricinan Yellow-Faced Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Helicopter Metalmark	Anthricinan Yellow-Faced Bee
Scientific Name	Chorinea octauius	Hylaeus anthracinus
Order	Lepidoptera	Hymenoptera
Family	Riodinidae	Colletidae
Size	35-45 mm wingspan	6-8 mm
Habitat	Forests	Beaches & Coastal
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Nectar Feeders
Regions	South America	Oceania
Conservation	Least Concern	Endangered

Helicopter Metalmark

Transparent forewings with red and black hindwing tails that twirl in flight. The spinning tails create a helicopter-like effect.

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Did You Know?

The elongated hindwing tails rotate during flight, resembling helicopter blades.

Anthricinan Yellow-Faced Bee

One of seven Hawaiian yellow-faced bees federally listed as endangered. These small native bees are critical pollinators for Hawaiian coastal plants but face severe decline.

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Did You Know?

Hawaiian yellow-faced bees were the first bees in the United States to be placed on the federal endangered species list, in 2016.