Cape Honey Bee vs Dock Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cape Honey Bee | Dock Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apis mellifera capensis | Ametastegia glabrata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | Workers 11-13 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South Africa (Western Cape, Eastern Cape) | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cape Honey Bee
A unique honey bee subspecies where workers can lay diploid female eggs without mating. It is restricted to the winter rainfall region of South Africa.
Did You Know?
Worker bees of this subspecies can clone themselves through a rare reproductive process called thelytokous parthenogenesis.
Dock Sawfly
A small, shiny dark green to black sawfly with pale legs. Larvae are pale green caterpillar-like grubs that feed on dock and sorrel leaves.
Did You Know?
In North America, dock sawfly larvae sometimes bore into apples to pupate, making them a nuisance pest in orchards despite not actually feeding on the fruit.