European Melittid vs Australian Plague Locust

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Melittid Australian Plague Locust
Scientific Name Melitta leporina Chortoicetes terminifera
Order Hymenoptera Orthoptera
Family Melittidae Acrididae
Size 11-14 mm 25-40 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Australian Plague Locust

Australia's most economically damaging locust species. It has a distinctive dark spot at the tip of each hindwing.

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Did You Know?

The Australian Plague Locust Commission uses satellite imagery and predictive modeling to track and control outbreaks across the continent.