Blue Orchard Bee vs Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue Orchard Bee | Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Osmia lignaria | Profenusa thomsoni |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue Orchard Bee
A metallic dark blue solitary bee that nests in pre-existing holes in wood. It is an exceptionally efficient pollinator of fruit trees, significantly outperforming honey bees per individual.
Did You Know?
A single blue orchard bee can pollinate as effectively as 60 to 80 honey bees, making them increasingly important for commercial fruit production.
Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
A tiny black sawfly whose larvae create distinctive blotch mines within birch leaves. Mined leaves develop brown, papery patches.
Did You Know?
Heavy infestations can cause over 80 percent of birch leaves to become mined, giving trees a scorched appearance by late summer.