Large Scabious Mining Bee vs Common Pollen Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Scabious Mining Bee Common Pollen Beetle
Scientific Name Andrena hattorfiana Brassicogethes aeneus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Andrenidae Nitidulidae
Size 14-17 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Large Scabious Mining Bee

One of the largest European mining bees with a striking red abdomen loaded with pink pollen. It is a specialist of field scabious flowers.

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Did You Know?

Females can carry a huge ball of bright pink scabious pollen on their hind legs that is visible from several meters away.

Common Pollen Beetle

A tiny iridescent green-black beetle that congregates in yellow flowers to feed on pollen. It is a major pest of oilseed rape crops.

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Did You Know?

On warm days they can be so numerous on yellow flowers that a single buttercup may contain a dozen individuals.