Desert Cuckoo Bee vs Hairy-legged Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Cuckoo Bee | Hairy-legged Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nomada texana | Melitta tricincta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Desert Cuckoo Bee
A parasitic wasp-like bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other desert bees. Its larvae consume the host's pollen provisions.
Did You Know?
It lacks pollen-collecting hairs entirely since it never gathers pollen for its own offspring.
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.