Mason Wasp vs Cellophane Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mason Wasp | Cellophane Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ancistrocerus nigricornis | Colletes thoracicus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Colletidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mason Wasp
A small black and yellow solitary wasp that nests in pre-existing holes and hollow stems. It provisions each cell with paralyzed moth caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It readily uses artificial bee hotels, making it one of the easiest solitary wasps to attract to gardens.
Cellophane Bee
A spring-flying plasterer bee native to eastern North America with dense reddish-brown thoracic hair. It lines its brood cells with a secreted polyester-like film.
Did You Know?
The transparent polyester lining it secretes is waterproof, fungus-resistant, and chemically similar to commercial plastic wrap.