European Melittid vs Hairy-legged Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Melittid | Hairy-legged Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta leporina | Melitta tricincta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 11-14 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
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.
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.