Large Birch Cimbicid vs Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Birch Cimbicid Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee
Scientific Name Cimbex connatus Nomada leucophthalma
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cimbicidae Apidae
Size 18-28 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Northern and Eastern Europe, Siberia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Birch Cimbicid

A very large sawfly, closely related to C. femoratus, with a massive body and distinctly clubbed antennae. Adults vary in color from yellowish to dark brownish-black.

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Did You Know?

This species was once confused with C. femoratus until detailed morphological studies separated them as distinct species based on antennal and genital characters.

Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee

A wasp-like cuckoo bee with reddish-brown and yellow markings that parasitizes Andrena mining bees. It is one of the earliest flying spring bees in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It closely resembles a small wasp rather than a bee, which helps it avoid being recognized as a threat by its hosts.