Painted Nomad Bee vs Sabre Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Nomad Bee Sabre Wasp
Scientific Name Nomada fucata Rhyssa persuasoria
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Ichneumonidae
Size 8-10mm 25-40 mm body length
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Nomad Bee

A bright yellow and black cuckoo bee that parasitizes the nests of Andrena mining bees.

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Did You Know?

Sneaks into mining bee nests while the host is away foraging and lays eggs that will outcompete the host's larva.

Sabre Wasp

The largest European ichneumon wasp, recognized by its black-and-white banded body. It parasitizes the larvae of wood wasps within conifer trunks.

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Did You Know?

She can detect a wood wasp larva through several centimeters of solid timber using her antennae.