Large Birch Cimbicid vs South American Cuckoo Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Birch Cimbicid South American Cuckoo Bee
Scientific Name Cimbex connatus Exaerete frontalis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cimbicidae Apidae
Size 18-28 mm 22-28 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Parasites
Regions Northern and Eastern Europe, Siberia Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

South American Cuckoo Bee

A large metallic blue-green cleptoparasitic orchid bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other orchid bees. Its mandibles are strong enough to break into sealed brood cells.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae first consume the host's food stores, then devour the host bee larva itself before pupating in the stolen nest cell.