European Oil Bee vs Log Miner Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Oil Bee | Log Miner Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macropis europaea | Stenochironomus hilaris |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
European Oil Bee
One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oils from yellow loosestrife flowers.
Did You Know?
It mixes collected floral oil with pollen to create a waterproof, long-lasting larval food that resists mold in its damp underground nests.
Log Miner Midge
A wood-mining chironomid whose larvae bore into submerged decaying logs in streams. Larvae create visible galleries beneath the bark of waterlogged timber.
Did You Know?
It is one of very few insects whose larvae can digest submerged waterlogged wood.