Four-banded Furrow Bee vs Spinifex Termite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-banded Furrow Bee Spinifex Termite
Scientific Name Halictus quadricinctus Nasutitermes longipennis
Order Hymenoptera Blattodea
Family Halictidae Termitidae
Size 14-16 mm Workers 4-5 mm; soldiers 5-6 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Southern and Central Europe, Western Asia Australia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Four-banded Furrow Bee

A large, robust halictid bee with four prominent white hair bands across its dark abdomen. It is one of the biggest sweat bees in Europe.

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Did You Know?

At up to 16 mm long, it is almost as large as a honey bee and dwarfs most other species in its family.

Spinifex Termite

A mound-building termite common across the dry interior of Australia. Its hard earthen mounds dot the landscape of arid grasslands and are a key food source for echidnas.

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Did You Know?

Short-beaked echidnas tear open the rock-hard mounds with powerful claws to feast on the termites inside.