Margined Colletes vs Fiery Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Margined Colletes Fiery Skipper
Scientific Name Colletes marginatus Hylephila phyleus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Colletidae Hesperiidae
Size 8-10 mm 25-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Southern United States, migrating northward in summer
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Margined Colletes

A small, pale plasterer bee found in sandy coastal habitats across Europe. It nests in loose sand and forages on wild mignonette and sea holly.

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Did You Know?

Its dependence on both sandy nesting substrate and specialized coastal food plants makes it doubly vulnerable to habitat loss.

Fiery Skipper

A small bright orange skipper with short antennae and a fast darting flight. Males have a prominent black stigma on the forewing.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most common skippers found in American suburban lawns and is a minor turf grass pest.