Neotropical Blue Hairstreak vs Dawson's Burrowing Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak | Dawson's Burrowing Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudolycaena marsyas | Amegilla dawsoni |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Apidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 18-24 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia | Western Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.
Dawson's Burrowing Bee
A large solitary bee endemic to Western Australia that nests in massive aggregations in hardpan clay. Males engage in violent aerial combat to mate with emerging females.
Did You Know?
Male combat is so fierce that individuals frequently die from injuries sustained during mating battles.