Wallacea Giant Bee vs Large Case Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wallacea Giant Bee | Large Case Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megachile pluto | Metura elongatus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Psychidae |
| Size | 23-39 mm | Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Asia | Australia |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Wallacea Giant Bee
The worlds largest bee at 39 mm long with a 63 mm wingspan. Thought extinct for 38 years until rediscovered in Indonesia in 2019. Nests inside active termite mounds.
Did You Know?
Wallace giant bee was not seen alive by a scientist for 38 years — when rediscovered in 2019, it was found nesting inside active termite mounds, using tree resin to waterproof its cells.
Large Case Moth
A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.
Did You Know?
The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.