Blue Mason Bee vs Oak Pinhole Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Mason Bee | Oak Pinhole Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Osmia caerulescens | Platypus cylindrus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Mason Bee
A small, metallic blue-black solitary bee that nests in pre-existing cavities in wood and walls. It is common in gardens and readily uses artificial bee hotels.
Did You Know?
Females seal each egg cell with chewed leaf material mixed with mud.
Oak Pinhole Borer
A tiny ambrosia beetle that bores into oak trees and cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. The only European species of its subfamily. Males guard the tunnel entrance.
Did You Know?
One of the few farming insects in Europe, cultivating fungal crops inside tunnels bored into oak wood.