Patchwork Leafcutter Bee vs Indian Spider Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Patchwork Leafcutter Bee Indian Spider Wasp
Scientific Name Megachile centuncularis Hemipepsis tamisieri
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae Pompilidae
Size 7-12 mm 25-45 mm
Habitat Gardens Heathland
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe Africa, Middle East
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Patchwork Leafcutter Bee

A solitary bee that neatly cuts oval pieces from rose and other leaves to line its nest cells. The characteristic semicircular cuts it leaves on leaves are a familiar garden sight.

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Did You Know?

Each nest cell requires around 15 precisely cut leaf pieces to construct.

Indian Spider Wasp

A large dark-winged spider wasp from Africa and the Middle East that hunts large burrowing spiders. It is one of the biggest pompilids in the Old World.

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Did You Know?

Like its American tarantula hawk relatives, it possesses one of the most painful stings of any African insect.