Giant Resin Bee vs Banded Ichneumon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Resin Bee Banded Ichneumon
Scientific Name Megachile sculpturalis Ichneumon xanthorius
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae Ichneumonidae
Size 14-24 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Gardens
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions East Asia, North America, Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Resin Bee

A large solitary bee originally from East Asia now invasive in North America and Europe. It uses tree resin and mud to seal its nesting cavities.

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Did You Know?

It was first detected in the US in 1994 and has spread rapidly across the eastern states.

Banded Ichneumon

A boldly patterned black-and-yellow parasitoid wasp commonly found in European gardens. It parasitizes large moth caterpillars that pupate in soil.

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Did You Know?

Despite its wasp-like warning colors, it rarely stings and is harmless to humans.