Blunthorn Bee vs Tinkerbell Fairyfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blunthorn Bee | Tinkerbell Fairyfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta haemorrhoidalis | Tinkerbella nana |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Mymaridae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 0.25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Tinkerbell Fairyfly
One of the smallest insects ever described, named after Peter Pans Tinker Bell. Discovered in Costa Rica in 2013. Measures only 0.25 mm in length.
Did You Know?
Named after the fairy Tinkerbell, this wasp is so tiny it can stand on the tip of a human hair — it was described in 2013 from specimens collected using specialized micro-traps.