Desert Large-headed Bee vs Columbine Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Desert Large-headed Bee | Columbine Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ctenocolletes nigricans | Pristiphora aquilegiae |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Stenotritidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 11-15 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Central and Western Australia | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Desert Large-headed Bee
A dark-bodied, heat-tolerant bee found in arid inland Australia. It forages during the hottest parts of the day when most other bees are inactive.
Did You Know?
It can remain active in ambient temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that would ground most other bee species.
Columbine Sawfly
A small, dark sawfly whose pale green larvae feed on the leaves of columbine plants. Larvae can cause significant damage in flower gardens.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward and can reduce a columbine plant to bare stems and leaf ribs within days.