Deraeocoris Plant Bug vs Flower Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Deraeocoris Plant Bug | Flower Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deraeocoris ruber | Cerceris rybyensis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Miridae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, western Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Deraeocoris Plant Bug
A small, shiny dark reddish-brown to black predatory plant bug found across Europe. It feeds on aphids, spider mites, and psyllids on various trees and shrubs. The coloration is highly variable, ranging from red to nearly black.
Did You Know?
Its extreme color variation confused early taxonomists who described several different species that were later found to be a single, highly polymorphic species.
Flower Wasp
A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.
Did You Know?
Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.