Broad-faced Sweat Bee vs European Hornet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-faced Sweat Bee European Hornet
Scientific Name Lasioglossum platycephalum Vespa crabro
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Halictidae Vespidae
Size 7-9 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Broad-faced Sweat Bee

A rare and distinctive European furrow bee with an unusually broad, flattened head. It nests in sandy or gravelly soils and has become scarce throughout much of its range.

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Did You Know?

Its flattened head shape is thought to be an adaptation for more efficiently excavating nest tunnels in compacted sandy soil.

European Hornet

The largest European wasp, with a brown and yellow striped body and reddish-brown head and thorax. Despite its fearsome appearance, it is relatively docile for a social wasp.

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Did You Know?

European hornets are one of the few wasp species that actively hunt at night, attracted to lights where they capture other insects.