Zela Metalmark vs Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zela Metalmark | Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Emesis zela | Megachile ligniseca |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Riodinidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm wingspan | 13-16 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Mexico | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Zela Metalmark
A small butterfly with rust-brown wings marked with fine dark lines and subtle metallic scaling. It inhabits mountain canyons in the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico.
Did You Know?
It is one of the target species for butterfly watchers visiting the famous canyons of southeastern Arizona.
Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee
A large, dark leafcutter bee that nests in rotten wood and dead tree stumps across Europe. Females cut large leaf pieces from roses, birch, and willows.
Did You Know?
Unlike most leafcutter bees that use pre-existing holes, it chews its own nest cavities directly into soft rotten wood.