Horned Mason Bee vs Black Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horned Mason Bee | Black Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Osmia cornuta | Coelichneumon deliratorius |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 12-15 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Horned Mason Bee
A robust spring-flying bee with distinctive horn-like projections on the female's face. It is widely used as a managed pollinator in European fruit orchards.
Did You Know?
It is three times more efficient at pollinating almond flowers than the honeybee.
Black Ichneumon Wasp
A large, entirely black ichneumon wasp with a robust build. It is a solitary parasitoid of large moth pupae hidden in soil.
Did You Know?
Its all-black coloration makes it one of the most imposing-looking ichneumon wasps in Europe.