Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp vs Giant Resin Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Parnopes Cuckoo Wasp | Giant Resin Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Parnopes grandior | Megachile sculpturalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 8-13 mm | 14-24 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | East Asia, North America, Europe |
| 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.
Giant Resin Bee
A large solitary bee originally from East Asia now invasive in North America and Europe. It uses tree resin and mud to seal its nesting cavities.
Did You Know?
It was first detected in the US in 1994 and has spread rapidly across the eastern states.