Dark Soldier Beetle vs Large Scabious Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark Soldier Beetle Large Scabious Mining Bee
Scientific Name Cantharis obscura Andrena hattorfiana
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cantharidae Andrenidae
Size 9-13 mm 14-17 mm
Habitat Meadows Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Dark Soldier Beetle

A dark-colored European soldier beetle often found on umbelliferous flowers. Its entirely dark elytra distinguish it from the more colorful soldier beetle species.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae are velvety black and hunt small invertebrates among leaf litter throughout the winter months.

Large Scabious Mining Bee

One of the largest European mining bees with a striking red abdomen loaded with pink pollen. It is a specialist of field scabious flowers.

💡

Did You Know?

Females can carry a huge ball of bright pink scabious pollen on their hind legs that is visible from several meters away.