Hairy-legged Mining Bee vs Dusky Click Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy-legged Mining Bee | Dusky Click Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta tricincta | Agriotes obscurus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Elateridae |
| Size | 9-11 mm | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.
Dusky Click Beetle
A dull dark brown click beetle with dense pubescence and subtle elytral striations. The larvae are significant wireworm pests that attack the roots of cereals, potatoes, and other crops.
Did You Know?
This species is particularly problematic in land recently converted from grassland to arable cultivation.