Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp vs Cellophane Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp | Cellophane Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parnopes grandior | Colletes thoracicus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Colletidae |
| Size | 8-13 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp
A large and robust cuckoo wasp with a metallic green thorax and brilliant red abdomen. It exclusively parasitizes beewolf wasps in sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
It is entirely dependent on beewolf wasps for reproduction, so its populations decline wherever beewolves disappear.
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.