Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly vs Patterned Tumbling Flower Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly Patterned Tumbling Flower Beetle
Scientific Name Xyela alpigena Mordella fasciata
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Xyelidae Mordellidae
Size 3-5 mm 4-7 mm
Habitat Mountains Meadows
Diet Pollen Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe, particularly Alpine regions Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly

A minute sawfly that is part of the oldest surviving lineage of Hymenoptera. Adults have the distinctive elongated third antennal segment characteristic of xyelids.

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Did You Know?

This high-altitude species represents a living lineage that has survived essentially unchanged for over 200 million years.

Patterned Tumbling Flower Beetle

A small black beetle with distinctive pale zigzag bands formed by pale pubescence on the elytra. It visits a wide range of flowers in European meadows.

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Did You Know?

The genus Mordella contains over 500 described species, making it one of the most species-rich beetle genera.