Lythrum Bee vs Bee Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lythrum Bee | Bee Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta nigricans | Trichius fasciatus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 10-12 mm | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Lythrum Bee
A specialist bee that collects pollen from purple loosestrife along rivers and wetland margins. It is a ground-nesting species found in damp habitats.
Did You Know?
It times its emergence precisely to the flowering of purple loosestrife in July, and in years of drought it may fail to reproduce entirely.
Bee Beetle
A fuzzy, yellow-and-black banded beetle that closely resembles a bumblebee. Adults visit flowers and feed on pollen.
Did You Know?
Its bumblebee mimicry is so convincing that it is often mistaken for the real thing.