Gold-fringed Mason Bee vs Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Gold-fringed Mason Bee Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle
Scientific Name Osmia aurulenta Mordella haldemani
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Megachilidae Mordellidae
Size 9-12 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Meadows
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Gold-fringed Mason Bee

A distinctive solitary bee that nests inside empty snail shells on warm hillsides. Females cover the shell with grass and debris for camouflage after laying eggs.

💡

Did You Know?

It exclusively nests in snail shells, carefully selecting ones of the right size for its brood.

Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle

A small black tumbling flower beetle found in eastern North America. It is commonly seen on composite flowers in summer meadows.

💡

Did You Know?

Its spine-tipped abdomen acts as a spring-loaded lever that launches the beetle into the air when disturbed.