Large Scoliid Wasp vs African Stingless Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Scoliid Wasp African Stingless Bee
Scientific Name Megascolia maculata Meliponula bocandei
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scoliidae Apidae
Size 25-45 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Orchards Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Scoliid Wasp

Europe's largest wasp, with a massive black body marked with bold yellow spots. Females burrow underground to parasitise rhinoceros beetle larvae.

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Did You Know?

Despite its terrifying size, it is surprisingly docile and rarely stings humans.

African Stingless Bee

A small dark stingless bee that nests in tree hollows and produces a prized thin honey. Colonies can number several thousand workers.

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Did You Know?

Their honey is traditionally valued in West African medicine and can sell for ten times the price of regular honey.