Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee vs Tree Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee Tree Weta
Scientific Name Nomada leucophthalma Hemideina thoracica
Order Hymenoptera Orthoptera
Family Apidae Anostostomatidae
Size 9-12 mm 40-60 mm body length
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee

A wasp-like cuckoo bee with reddish-brown and yellow markings that parasitizes Andrena mining bees. It is one of the earliest flying spring bees in Europe.

💡

Did You Know?

It closely resembles a small wasp rather than a bee, which helps it avoid being recognized as a threat by its hosts.

Tree Weta

A common weta species found throughout the North Island of New Zealand. It shelters in tree holes during the day and forages for food at night.

💡

Did You Know?

Tree weta can survive being frozen solid; their blood contains special proteins that prevent ice crystals from damaging their cells.