Blunthorn Bee vs Rose Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blunthorn Bee | Rose Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta haemorrhoidalis | Macrosiphum rosae |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Worldwide, wherever roses are grown |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blunthorn Bee
A late-summer specialist bee that collects pollen almost exclusively from bellflowers. It has a distinctively short tongue for a melittid bee.
Did You Know?
Females often become completely dusted in blue bellflower pollen, giving them a striking violet-tinged appearance.
Rose Aphid
A large green or pink aphid with long black cornicles (siphunculi) that is the most common aphid pest of roses. It clusters on buds and young shoots, distorting growth.
Did You Know?
It can exist in green and pink color morphs on the same plant, and the color form may be influenced by crowding density and host plant quality.