Large Shaggy Bee vs Australian Stink Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Shaggy Bee | Australian Stink Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panurgus banksianus | Iridomyrmex bicknelli |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Shaggy Bee
A densely hairy black bee that specializes on composite flowers, particularly hawkbits and dandelions. Males have distinctively swollen, lemon-yellow faces.
Did You Know?
Males' bright yellow face patches are thought to mimic the yellow disc florets of the composites they frequent, possibly to ambush females visiting flowers.
Australian Stink Ant
A small, fast-moving ant that releases a strong, unpleasant odour when crushed, giving it its common name. It forms large colonies and is one of the most common ants in Australian suburban environments.
Did You Know?
Iridomyrmex ants dominate Australian ant communities and are among the most ecologically successful ants in the Southern Hemisphere.