Encyrtus Scale Parasite vs Small Scissor Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Encyrtus Scale Parasite Small Scissor Bee
Scientific Name Encyrtus infelix Chelostoma florisomne
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Encyrtidae Megachilidae
Size 1-2 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Gardens Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Wood Feeders
Regions Mediterranean, North America, Australia Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Encyrtus Scale Parasite

A parasitoid wasp that attacks soft scale insects on citrus and ornamental trees. It was among the earliest parasitoids used in classical biological control programs.

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Did You Know?

Its introduction to California in the late 1800s was one of the pioneering successes of classical biological control.

Small Scissor Bee

A slender black solitary bee that nests in beetle borings in dead wood. It is a specialist pollinator of buttercups.

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Did You Know?

Males often sleep inside buttercup flowers at night, clinging to the petals as they close.