Grey-patched Mining Bee vs Ribbon-winged Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Grey-patched Mining Bee Ribbon-winged Lacewing
Scientific Name Andrena nitida Nemoptera coa
Order Hymenoptera Neuroptera
Family Andrenidae Nemopteridae
Size 10-13 mm 30-38 mm wingspan (forewings)
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Fruit Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Greece, Turkey, Aegean Islands
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.

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Did You Know?

It is a key pollinator of blackthorn, which produces sloe berries used to make sloe gin.

Ribbon-winged Lacewing

A graceful Aegean lacewing with long ribbon-like hindwings and patterned forewings. Found on dry, flower-rich hillsides of Greek islands.

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Did You Know?

It is a popular subject for nature photographers visiting the Greek islands in late spring.