European Beewolf vs Giant Resin Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Beewolf Giant Resin Bee
Scientific Name Philanthus triangulum Megachile sculpturalis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Megachilidae
Size 12-18 mm 14-24 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe East Asia, North America, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Beewolf

A large, striking yellow-and-black solitary wasp that specialises in hunting honeybees. Females paralyse bees in flight and carry them back to sandy burrow nests.

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Did You Know?

Females embalm their honeybee prey with an antifungal secretion to keep it fresh for their larvae.

Giant Resin Bee

A large solitary bee originally from East Asia now invasive in North America and Europe. It uses tree resin and mud to seal its nesting cavities.

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Did You Know?

It was first detected in the US in 1994 and has spread rapidly across the eastern states.