Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee vs African Giant Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee African Giant Swallowtail
Scientific Name Megachile willughbiella Papilio antimachus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Megachilidae Papilionidae
Size 12-16 mm 180-250 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Central Asia Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Willoughby's Leafcutter Bee

A large, furry leafcutter bee common across Europe that nests in a variety of above-ground cavities. It is named after the 17th-century English naturalist Francis Willughby.

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Did You Know?

Females have been recorded cutting leaf pieces from over 20 different plant species to construct a single nest.

African Giant Swallowtail

The largest butterfly in Africa with a wingspan of up to 250 mm. It flies at great heights in the canopy and is rarely seen by casual observers.

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Did You Know?

It is believed to be toxic to predators and is one of the few butterflies that has no known mimics.