Bear-clawed Nomad Bee vs Common Least Skipper

Nomada baccata compared with Ancyloxypha numitor

Key Differences

• Bear-clawed Nomad Bee is Critically Endangered while Common Least Skipper is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Bear-clawed Nomad Bee	Common Least Skipper
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees & Wasps)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Apidae (Bees)	Hesperiidae
Genus	Nomada	Ancyloxypha
Species	Nomada baccata	Ancyloxypha numitor

Evolutionary Relationship

Bear-clawed Nomad Bee and Common Least Skipper share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Bear-clawed Nomad Bee

CR — Critically Endangered

Common Least Skipper

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Bear-clawed Nomad Bee	Common Least Skipper
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bear-clawed Nomad Bee

Habitat

Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests within the Palearctic biogeographic realm.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Common Least Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Bear-clawed Nomad Bee

The Bear-clawed Nomad Bee (Nomada baccata) is a species in the genus Nomada. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits temperate broadleaf and mixed forests within the Palearctic biogeographic realm.

Common Least Skipper

The Common Least Skipper (<em>Ancyloxypha numitor</em>) is a small butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is native to Canada and the United States, where it typically inhabits virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats within its range, showing a particular affinity for moist, grassy areas near water. The species is among the smallest skippers in North America, characterized by orange and brown wing coloration and a rapid, low-flying flight pattern close to vegetation. Adults typically nectar on small flowers while larvae feed on grasses, particularly those in wet meadows, marshes, stream margins, and disturbed grassy areas. The Common Least Skipper is frequently observed in wetland margins, wet prairies, and roadsides with rank grass growth. Its wide distribution across North America and habitat generalism across moist grassland and wetland types support its stable population and Least Concern conservation status. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.