Small Carpenter Bee vs Orange-barred Sulphur

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Small Carpenter Bee Orange-barred Sulphur
Scientific Name Ceratina calcarata Phoebis philea
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Pieridae
Size 5–8 mm Wingspan 67-80mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Eastern North America North America, South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Small Carpenter Bee

A tiny metallic blue-green bee that nests in the pithy stems of broken twigs. It is one of the few bee species showing rudimentary social behavior.

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Did You Know?

Mothers guard their nests and feed their developing larvae with pollen, a behavior rare among solitary bees.

Orange-barred Sulphur

A large bright yellow butterfly with orange bar markings on the upper forewings. Females are more muted with reddish markings.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol large territories and engage in spiraling aerial battles with rivals that can last several minutes.