Peacock Butterfly vs Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Peacock Butterfly | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglais io | Psithyrus vestalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Apidae |
| Size | 50-55 mm wingspan | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Peacock Butterfly
Reddish-brown wings with four large blue and yellow eyespots resembling peacock feathers. Undersides are nearly black, providing camouflage when at rest.
Did You Know?
When threatened, it rapidly opens its wings to flash its eyespots while making a hissing sound.
Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.