Long-legged Oil Bee vs European Wheat Stem Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Long-legged Oil Bee European Wheat Stem Sawfly
Scientific Name Rediviva longimanus Cephus pygmeus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Melittidae Cephidae
Size 12-15 mm 8-10 mm (adult)
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions South Africa Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Data Deficient Not Evaluated

Long-legged Oil Bee

An extraordinary South African bee whose front legs are nearly twice its body length, the longest of any bee relative to body size. It uses these to collect oils from long-spurred flowers.

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Did You Know?

The coevolution between its leg length and Diascia spur length is one of the most famous examples of a pollination arms race.

European Wheat Stem Sawfly

A stem-boring sawfly pest of wheat and other cereals throughout Europe and western Asia. It has also established in parts of North America.

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Did You Know?

Solid-stemmed wheat varieties were bred specifically to resist stem sawfly larval boring.