Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper) vs Western Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper) | Western Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lycaena salustius | Bombus occidentalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Apidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm wingspan | 10-22 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Pepe Para Riki (Common Copper)
New Zealand's most common endemic butterfly, a small copper-coloured species found in open habitats throughout the country. Males are bright coppery-orange above while females are duller with more dark markings. Larvae feed on native Muehlenbeckia vines.
Did You Know?
The common copper is the only representative of the family Lycaenidae native to New Zealand.
Western Bumble Bee
A once-common bumble bee of western North America that has experienced dramatic population declines since the late 1990s. They nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows.
Did You Know?
Their catastrophic decline is linked to a pathogen accidentally spread through commercial bumble bee rearing facilities.