Spined Sweat Bee vs Peacock Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spined Sweat Bee Peacock Butterfly
Scientific Name Agapostemon splendens Aglais io
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Halictidae Nymphalidae
Size 9-12 mm 50-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spined Sweat Bee

A brilliantly iridescent green sweat bee with bluish reflections found in the eastern United States. Both sexes are entirely metallic green, unlike many other Agapostemon species.

💡

Did You Know?

It strongly prefers nesting in moist or damp soil near water, unlike most other sweat bees that prefer drier substrates.

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.