Cotton Harlequin Bug vs Silvery Leafcutter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cotton Harlequin Bug | Silvery Leafcutter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tectocoris diophthalmus | Megachile leachella |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Scutelleridae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cotton Harlequin Bug
One of Australia's most colourful insects, with a brilliant metallic orange and iridescent blue-black shield-shaped body. The colour pattern varies between individuals, with females being larger and more brightly marked.
Did You Know?
Females guard their eggs and young nymphs, standing over them protectively in a rare display of maternal care for a bug.
Silvery Leafcutter Bee
A coastal specialist bee with silvery-white hair on the underside of the abdomen. It nests in sandy ground near the coast.
Did You Know?
It lines its nest cells with cut pieces of petals rather than leaves, unlike most leafcutter bees.