Mountain Bumblebee vs Paradise Birdwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Bumblebee Paradise Birdwing
Scientific Name Bombus monticola Ornithoptera paradisea
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Papilionidae
Size 12-18 mm 120-170 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland, alpine regions of Europe Oceania (Papua New Guinea)
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Mountain Bumblebee

A colorful bumblebee with bright red-orange tail, yellow thorax bands, and a black midriff. It is found at high altitudes and latitudes where it is an important pollinator. Queens are among the earliest bees to emerge.

💡

Did You Know?

This bumblebee can forage in driving rain and near-gale winds that keep other pollinating insects grounded.

Paradise Birdwing

A spectacular birdwing butterfly endemic to Papua New Guinea, notable for the elongated tails on the male's hindwings. Males display brilliant green and gold colouration. It is found in lowland and hill forests.

💡

Did You Know?

The male's long hindwing tails trail behind in flight, creating a spectacularly graceful display reminiscent of a bird of paradise.