Wasp Beetle vs Zebra Longwing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wasp Beetle Zebra Longwing
Scientific Name Clytus arietis Heliconius charithonia
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Cerambycidae Nymphalidae
Size 7-14 mm 72-100 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Wood Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe North America, Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wasp Beetle

A longhorn beetle with yellow and black banding that mimics a common wasp. It even moves in a jerky, wasp-like manner.

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Did You Know?

It is completely harmless but its convincing wasp mimicry deters most predators.

Zebra Longwing

A neotropical butterfly with elongated jet-black wings bearing bold pale yellow stripes. It is unusual among butterflies for feeding on pollen in addition to nectar.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly can digest pollen by dissolving it with saliva on its proboscis, providing amino acids that allow adults to live six months or longer.