European Melittid vs South American Wattle Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Melittid | South American Wattle Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta leporina | Arge pullata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Argidae |
| Size | 11-14 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Southern Africa |
| 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.
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.
South American Wattle Sawfly
A shiny black argid sawfly that feeds on wattle (Acacia) trees. Larvae are green with dark dorsal markings and can cause significant defoliation.
Did You Know?
This species is one of the relatively few argid sawflies found in Africa, where the family is less diverse than in other continents.