Pacific Cuckoo Wasp vs Blue Mormon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pacific Cuckoo Wasp Blue Mormon
Scientific Name Chrysis pellucidula Papilio polymnestor
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Chrysididae Papilionidae
Size 6-10 mm 120-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Western North America South Asia (India, Sri Lanka)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pacific Cuckoo Wasp

A brightly metallic cuckoo wasp with green-blue head and thorax and a coppery red abdomen. It parasitizes solitary mason bees and wasps in the western US.

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Did You Know?

It times its nest infiltration perfectly, sneaking in while the host wasp is away collecting provisions.

Blue Mormon

A large, spectacular swallowtail butterfly with deep black wings overlaid with brilliant blue bands. It is one of the largest butterflies in India and the state butterfly of Maharashtra.

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Did You Know?

The Blue Mormon is the state butterfly of Maharashtra and is protected under Indian wildlife law in certain states.