Narrow-headed Ant vs Silvery Leafcutter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-headed Ant | Silvery Leafcutter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Formica exsecta | Megachile leachella |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Narrow-headed Ant
A bicolored red and black wood ant with a distinctly notched head. It builds low thatched mounds in open heathland and is declining across much of its European range.
Did You Know?
In the UK it is one of the rarest ant species and is legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Silvery Leafcutter Bee
A coastal specialist bee with silvery-white hair on the underside of the abdomen. It nests in sandy ground near the coast.
Did You Know?
It lines its nest cells with cut pieces of petals rather than leaves, unlike most leafcutter bees.