South American Cuckoo Bee vs Imperial Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Cuckoo Bee | Imperial Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Exaerete frontalis | Eacles imperialis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm | 80-135 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Omnivores |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America | Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
South American Cuckoo Bee
A large metallic blue-green cleptoparasitic orchid bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other orchid bees. Its mandibles are strong enough to break into sealed brood cells.
Did You Know?
Its larvae first consume the host's food stores, then devour the host bee larva itself before pupating in the stolen nest cell.
Imperial Moth
A large moth with bright yellow wings variably marked with purple-brown spots and patches. It is one of the most recognizable saturniids in the Americas.
Did You Know?
The imperial moth has declined dramatically in the northeastern United States, likely due to parasitic flies introduced for gypsy moth control.