Helicopter Metalmark vs Painted Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Helicopter Metalmark Painted Mining Bee
Scientific Name Chorinea octauius Andrena fucata
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Riodinidae Andrenidae
Size 35-45 mm wingspan 10-13 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Painted Mining Bee

A handsome spring bee with a red-brown thorax and banded abdomen. It is common in woodland clearings and gardens across Europe.

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Did You Know?

It is a favourite host of the cuckoo bee Nomada flava, which lays eggs in its nest burrows.