Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee vs Japanese Copper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee | Japanese Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psithyrus vestalis | Lycaena phlaeas daimio |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 22-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | East Asia, Japan |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.
Japanese Copper
The Japanese subspecies of the small copper butterfly, known as 'beni-shijimi.' A small but brilliantly colored butterfly with fiery orange-copper wings. One of the most common butterflies in Japan.
Did You Know?
Male small coppers are aggressively territorial and will challenge insects much larger than themselves, including large butterflies and dragonflies.