Blood Bee vs Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blood Bee Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing
Scientific Name Sphecodes monilicornis Croce filipennis
Order Hymenoptera Neuroptera
Family Halictidae Nemopteridae
Size 7-9 mm 15-20 mm forewing; hindwings up to 80 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Parasites Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Blood Bee

A cleptoparasitic bee with a bright red abdomen and black head that attacks the nests of furrow bees. Females enter host nests to lay eggs that hatch and consume the host provisions.

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Did You Know?

Its blood-red abdomen is the source of its common name and makes it look more like a ruby-colored ant than a bee.

Thread-winged Antlion Lacewing

A bizarre nemopterid with extremely long, thread-like hindwings. Males have hindwings that can be several times their body length.

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Did You Know?

Its hindwings can be four times longer than the forewings, trailing behind like fine threads.