Ashy Mining Bee vs Japanese Bell Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ashy Mining Bee Japanese Bell Cricket
Scientific Name Andrena cineraria Meloimorpha japonica
Order Hymenoptera Orthoptera
Family Andrenidae Gryllidae
Size 10-14 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe Japan, China, Korea
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Ashy Mining Bee

A striking black and grey solitary bee with silvery-white hair bands on its thorax. It nests in compacted soil and is one of the first bees to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

Large aggregations of hundreds of nest holes can appear suddenly on garden lawns in April.

Japanese Bell Cricket

A small brown cricket revered in Japanese culture for its beautiful tinkling bell-like song. It has been bred and sold as a singing pet for over a thousand years.

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Did You Know?

Emperor-era Japanese nobles held "insect listening" parties specifically to enjoy this cricket's song.