Long-legged Oil Bee vs Iris Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-legged Oil Bee | Iris Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rediviva longimanus | Rhadinoceraea micans |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 12-15 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Iris Sawfly
A small, metallic blue-black sawfly whose grayish larvae with dark heads feed along the edges of iris leaves, producing distinctive notching damage.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed along leaf edges in a perfectly straight line, creating neat rectangular notches that are diagnostic for this species.