Carpenter Bee vs Italian Snakefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Carpenter Bee Italian Snakefly
Scientific Name Xylocopa violacea Subilla confinis
Order Hymenoptera Raphidioptera
Family Apidae Raphidiidae
Size 20-28 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Europe, Mediterranean region
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Carpenter Bee

A large, robust bee with an entirely black body showing violet-blue iridescent wings. It excavates nest tunnels in dead wood and is an important pollinator of open-faced flowers.

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Did You Know?

Despite their intimidating size and loud buzz, male carpenter bees are completely harmless as they lack a stinger and merely bluff when defending their territory.

Italian Snakefly

A Mediterranean snakefly found in warm woodlands of southern Europe. It is associated with pine and oak forests where larvae develop under loose bark.

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Did You Know?

Mediterranean snakeflies are adapted to warmer climates than most of their relatives and can tolerate drier conditions.