Hairy-saddled Colletes vs Diamondback Moth Parasitoid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy-saddled Colletes Diamondback Moth Parasitoid
Scientific Name Colletes succinctus Diadegma semiclausum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Colletidae Ichneumonidae
Size 10-13 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe, Asia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Hairy-saddled Colletes

A late-summer plasterer bee that is a specialist on heather, secreting a cellophane-like lining in its underground nest cells. It is an important heathland indicator species.

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Did You Know?

The cellophane-like substance it secretes to waterproof its nest cells is a unique biopolymer not found in any other group of animals.

Diamondback Moth Parasitoid

A small ichneumon wasp that is the most important natural enemy of the diamondback moth, a major global brassica pest. Females parasitize caterpillars with a quick ovipositor strike.

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Did You Know?

So effective at controlling diamondback moth that pesticide-free brassica production depends on this species.