Early Bumblebee vs Spicebush Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Early Bumblebee Spicebush Swallowtail
Scientific Name Bombus pratorum Papilio troilus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Papilionidae
Size 9-16mm Wingspan 90-130mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Early Bumblebee

A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.

Spicebush Swallowtail

A dark swallowtail butterfly with blue-green hindwing scaling and orange spots. Its caterpillar has large false eyespots making it resemble a small snake.

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Did You Know?

The young caterpillar mimics a bird dropping while the older caterpillar switches to mimicking a green tree snake.