Desert Large-headed Bee vs European Corn Borer Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Large-headed Bee European Corn Borer Parasite
Scientific Name Ctenocolletes nigricans Macrocentrus grandii
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Stenotritidae Braconidae
Size 11-15 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Central and Western Australia Europe, 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.

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Did You Know?

It can remain active in ambient temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that would ground most other bee species.

European Corn Borer Parasite

A slender braconid wasp introduced to North America to control the European corn borer. It lays polyembryonic eggs that multiply inside the host caterpillar.

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Did You Know?

A single egg divides into up to 30 genetically identical larvae inside the host through polyembryony.