Black Mining Bee vs Common Least Skipper

Andrena pilipes compared with Ancyloxypha numitor

Key Differences

  • Black Mining Bee is Not Evaluated while Common Least Skipper is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Black Mining 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 Andrenidae Hesperiidae
Genus Andrena Ancyloxypha
Species Andrena pilipes Ancyloxypha numitor

Evolutionary Relationship

Black Mining Bee and Common Least Skipper share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Black Mining Bee

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Least Skipper

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Black Mining Bee Common Least Skipper
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Mining Bee

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Least Skipper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

Black Mining Bee

The Black Mining Bee (Andrena pilipes) is a species in the genus Andrena. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Its geographic range spans Distributed across Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

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.

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