Wool Carder Bee vs Swiss Brassy Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wool Carder Bee Swiss Brassy Ringlet
Scientific Name Anthidium manicatum Erebia tyndarus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Megachilidae Nymphalidae
Size 10-17 mm 30-36 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Meadows
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe Swiss Alps
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Wool Carder Bee

A robust yellow-and-black solitary bee whose females scrape plant hairs to line their nests. Males are territorial and aggressively patrol flower patches, even attacking bumblebees.

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Did You Know?

Males have five sharp spines on their abdomen that they use to body-slam intruding bees.

Swiss Brassy Ringlet

A dark butterfly with a greenish metallic sheen on its upperside. It is endemic to alpine meadows in the Swiss Alps.

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Did You Know?

Its metallic green sheen is unique among European butterflies and aids in thermoregulation.