African Sand Wasp vs Blunthorn Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Sand Wasp | Blunthorn Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bembix capensis | Melitta haemorrhoidalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Sand Wasp
A fast-flying sand wasp with black and yellow banding that nests in sandy ground. Females provision nests with captured flies.
Did You Know?
Females progressively feed their developing larvae with fresh flies over several days, unlike most wasps that mass-provision.
Blunthorn Bee
A late-summer specialist bee that collects pollen almost exclusively from bellflowers. It has a distinctively short tongue for a melittid bee.
Did You Know?
Females often become completely dusted in blue bellflower pollen, giving them a striking violet-tinged appearance.