Field Digger Wasp vs Rainbow Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Field Digger Wasp | Rainbow Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mellinus arvensis | Carabus nitens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 10-14mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Northern and Central Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Field Digger Wasp
A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.
Did You Know?
Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.
Rainbow Ground Beetle
A spectacularly colored ground beetle with elytra showing bands of metallic green, copper, and red, with three prominent raised ridges. It is associated with wet heathland habitats.
Did You Know?
Its brilliant rainbow coloring makes it one of the most beautiful European beetles, yet it is increasingly rare due to the drainage and destruction of its specialized heathland habitat.