Ashy Mining Bee vs Small Hive Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ashy Mining Bee | Small Hive Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena cineraria | Aethina tumida |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe | Africa, North America, Australia, Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Large aggregations of hundreds of nest holes can appear suddenly on garden lawns in April.
Small Hive Beetle
A small dark beetle native to sub-Saharan Africa that is a serious pest of honeybee colonies. It has spread to North America, Australia, and parts of Europe.
Did You Know?
Larvae can destroy an entire honeybee colony by consuming all the stored honey and pollen.