Red Mason Bee vs Carrion Parasitoid Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Mason Bee Carrion Parasitoid Wasp
Scientific Name Osmia bicornis Alysia manducator
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae Braconidae
Size 8-13 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Orchards Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Mason Bee

A compact, ginger-haired solitary bee that nests in hollow stems and bee hotels. It is an exceptionally efficient pollinator of fruit trees in spring.

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Did You Know?

A single red mason bee can do the pollination work of 120 honeybees on apple trees.

Carrion Parasitoid Wasp

A small braconid wasp that parasitizes blowfly larvae in carrion. An important part of the decomposition ecosystem. Females locate buried fly larvae using chemical cues.

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Did You Know?

Females can detect fly larvae buried in carrion from a considerable distance using their sensitive antennae.