Painted Nomad Bee vs Hornet Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Painted Nomad Bee | Hornet Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nomada fucata | Volucella zonaria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Apidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 8-10mm | 18-22 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Scavengers |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Painted Nomad Bee
A bright yellow and black cuckoo bee that parasitizes the nests of Andrena mining bees.
Did You Know?
Sneaks into mining bee nests while the host is away foraging and lays eggs that will outcompete the host's larva.
Hornet Hoverfly
Europe's largest hoverfly and a convincing hornet mimic with bold yellow-and-brown banding. Its larvae develop as scavengers in the nests of social wasps and hornets.
Did You Know?
Its larvae live inside hornet nests, feeding on dead wasps and nest debris while being ignored by the colony.