African Giant Carpenter Bee vs Hairy-saddled Colletes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Giant Carpenter Bee | Hairy-saddled Colletes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xylocopa flavorufa | Colletes succinctus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Colletidae |
| Size | 25-33 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
African Giant Carpenter Bee
One of Africa's largest bees, with females covered in tawny-orange fur and males in yellowish hair. It bores large nest tunnels into dead wood.
Did You Know?
Their nesting tunnels can extend over 30 cm into solid wood and may be used by successive generations for years.
Hairy-saddled Colletes
A late-summer plasterer bee that is a specialist on heather, secreting a cellophane-like lining in its underground nest cells. It is an important heathland indicator species.
Did You Know?
The cellophane-like substance it secretes to waterproof its nest cells is a unique biopolymer not found in any other group of animals.