Grey-patched Mining Bee vs Steel-blue Woodwasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Grey-patched Mining Bee | Steel-blue Woodwasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena nitida | Sirex cyaneus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Siricidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 12–28 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Mountains |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Steel-blue Woodwasp
A metallic blue woodwasp native to Europe that breeds in fir and spruce. It is closely related to the more destructive Sirex noctilio.
Did You Know?
Unlike its relative Sirex noctilio, this species rarely causes significant economic damage to forestry.