Large-headed Resin Bee vs Pacific Cuckoo Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large-headed Resin Bee | Pacific Cuckoo Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heriades truncorum | Chrysis pellucidula |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large-headed Resin Bee
A tiny black resin bee with a disproportionately large head that nests in beetle holes and hollow stems. It uses plant resin to construct partitions between brood cells.
Did You Know?
Its oversized head allows it to perfectly plug the entrance of its narrow nest cavity like a living door.
Pacific Cuckoo Wasp
A brightly metallic cuckoo wasp with green-blue head and thorax and a coppery red abdomen. It parasitizes solitary mason bees and wasps in the western US.
Did You Know?
It times its nest infiltration perfectly, sneaking in while the host wasp is away collecting provisions.