Fringed Leafcutter Bee vs Red-banded Netelia

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fringed Leafcutter Bee Red-banded Netelia
Scientific Name Megachile fidelis Netelia testacea
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae Ichneumonidae
Size 11-14 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Underground
Diet Pollen Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Western North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fringed Leafcutter Bee

A western North American leafcutter bee recognized by the dense fringe of golden hairs on its hind legs used for pollen transport. It nests in the ground, unusual for its genus.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most leafcutter bees that nest in cavities, it excavates burrows directly into sandy soil.

Red-banded Netelia

A slender orange-brown ichneumonid wasp active at night in summer. It is an ectoparasitoid of noctuid moth caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Females glue their egg to the host caterpillar's skin so it cannot be dislodged.