Large Copper Butterfly vs Sweat Bee of the Desert

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Copper Butterfly Sweat Bee of the Desert
Scientific Name Lycaena dispar Lasioglossum titusi
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Lycaenidae Halictidae
Size 33-40 mm wingspan 5-8 mm
Habitat Wetlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Large Copper Butterfly

Once widespread across European wetlands, the English subspecies went extinct in the 1850s. Remaining populations are declining due to drainage of fens and marshes.

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Did You Know?

The English subspecies of the large copper was one of the first British butterflies to go extinct — driven to extinction by drainage of the East Anglian fens in the 1850s.

Sweat Bee of the Desert

A small metallic green bee found in arid regions of western North America. It nests communally in sandy desert soil.

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Did You Know?

It is attracted to human sweat for the salt it contains, which is scarce in desert environments.