Angle Shades vs Hairy-legged Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Angle Shades Hairy-legged Mining Bee
Scientific Name Phlogophora meticulosa Melitta tricincta
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Noctuidae Melittidae
Size 45-52 mm wingspan 9-11 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, western Asia, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Angle Shades

A moth with uniquely crumpled wings in olive, pink, and brown that perfectly resemble a dead leaf. It can be found in every month of the year in mild climates.

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Did You Know?

Its wings naturally fold into angular creases at rest, enhancing its dead-leaf camouflage.

Hairy-legged Mining Bee

A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.

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Did You Know?

Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.