Grey-patched Mining Bee vs Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Grey-patched Mining Bee | Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena nitida | Pseudodiacantha macklottii |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Andrenidae | Phasmatidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 120-160mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Grey-patched Mining Bee
A glossy black bee with patches of grey hair on the thorax. It is one of the earliest spring-flying solitary bees in Europe.
Did You Know?
It is a key pollinator of blackthorn, which produces sloe berries used to make sloe gin.
Lichen-mimicking Stick Insect
A large stick insect with a rough textured body covered in small outgrowths that mimic lichen. Its greenish-gray coloring completes the camouflage. It is nocturnal and incredibly slow-moving.
Did You Know?
Its lichen-like texture is so detailed that even close inspection with a hand lens can fail to reveal it is an insect.