Pacific Cuckoo Wasp vs Indian Tortoiseshell
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pacific Cuckoo Wasp | Indian Tortoiseshell |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis pellucidula | Aglais caschmirensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 55-65 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Himalayan region) |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It times its nest infiltration perfectly, sneaking in while the host wasp is away collecting provisions.
Indian Tortoiseshell
A beautiful butterfly with rich orange-brown wings edged with blue spots and irregular dark markings. It is found in the Himalayan highlands and is closely related to the European tortoiseshell butterflies.
Did You Know?
This butterfly can survive at elevations over 4000 meters in the Himalayas, basking on sun-warmed rocks to thermoregulate.