Nocturnal Sweat Bee vs Japanese Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nocturnal Sweat Bee Japanese Swallowtail
Scientific Name Megalopta genalis Papilio xuthus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Halictidae Papilionidae
Size 10-12 mm Wingspan 70-90 mm
Habitat Forests Gardens
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Central America, South America Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Nocturnal Sweat Bee

One of few bees adapted to forage in near-total darkness in tropical forests.

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Did You Know?

Its enlarged ocelli give it visual sensitivity 30 times greater than day-active bees.

Japanese Swallowtail

A common Asian swallowtail with pale yellow wings striped with black tiger-like bands. It is one of the most frequently seen butterflies in Japanese gardens.

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Did You Know?

Its caterpillars have a forked osmeterium that emits a foul smell to deter birds and wasps.