South American Swallowtail vs Painted Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Swallowtail Painted Mining Bee
Scientific Name Heraclides thoas Andrena fucata
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Andrenidae
Size 100-130 mm wingspan 10-13 mm
Habitat Orchards Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Brazil, Argentina, Central America, southern United States Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Swallowtail

A large swallowtail butterfly with black wings bearing bright yellow band patterns and prominent tail extensions. It is a strong, rapid flier.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, its caterpillar extends a bright orange forked organ called an osmeterium that releases a foul smell.

Painted Mining Bee

A handsome spring bee with a red-brown thorax and banded abdomen. It is common in woodland clearings and gardens across Europe.

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Did You Know?

It is a favourite host of the cuckoo bee Nomada flava, which lays eggs in its nest burrows.