Pacific Cuckoo Wasp vs Southern Dogface
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pacific Cuckoo Wasp | Southern Dogface |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis pellucidula | Zerene cesonia |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Pieridae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 46-64 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | North America, Central America, South America |
| 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.
Southern Dogface
Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.
Did You Know?
The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.