Common Pimpline Wasp vs Long-legged Oil Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Pimpline Wasp Long-legged Oil Bee
Scientific Name Pimpla hypochondriaca Rediviva longimanus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Melittidae
Size 10-15 mm 12-15 mm
Habitat Woodlands Heathland
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia South Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Common Pimpline Wasp

A stout black parasitoid wasp that attacks moth and butterfly pupae. It is one of the most frequently encountered ichneumonids in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Females inject venom that permanently paralyzes the host pupa before laying an egg on it.

Long-legged Oil Bee

An extraordinary South African bee whose front legs are nearly twice its body length, the longest of any bee relative to body size. It uses these to collect oils from long-spurred flowers.

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Did You Know?

The coevolution between its leg length and Diascia spur length is one of the most famous examples of a pollination arms race.