Australian Scorpionfly vs Panzer's Nomad Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Scorpionfly | Panzer's Nomad Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Harpobittacus australis | Nomada panzeri |
| Order | Mecoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Bittacidae | Andrenidae |
| Size | 18-22 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Scorpionfly
An Australian hangingfly that suspends itself from vegetation and catches prey with its raptorial hind legs. Males present captured prey to females as nuptial gifts.
Did You Know?
Female Australian scorpionflies assess nuptial gifts by tasting the prey — if it is nutritionally poor, they reject the male and fly away.
Panzer's Nomad Bee
A wasp-mimicking cleptoparasitic bee that targets Andrena mining bee nests. Its bright red, yellow, and black coloring warns predators of its sting.
Did You Know?
It has lost all pollen-collecting structures because its larvae are fed entirely by stolen provisions from mining bee nests.