European Corn Borer vs European Melittid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Corn Borer European Melittid
Scientific Name Ostrinia nubilalis Melitta leporina
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pyralidae Melittidae
Size 26-34 mm wingspan 11-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Corn Borer

A small yellowish-brown moth that is one of the most destructive crop pests in the world. Larvae bore into corn stalks, causing billions of dollars in damage annually.

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Did You Know?

Female moths use two different pheromone strains, effectively creating reproductively isolated populations.

European Melittid

A medium-sized oligolectic bee that specializes on legume flowers, particularly alfalfa and clovers. It nests in the ground in sparsely vegetated areas.

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Did You Know?

It is so efficient at collecting clover pollen that a single bee can visit over 1,000 florets in a single foraging trip.