Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle vs Hairy-legged Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle | Hairy-legged Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carcinops pumilio | Melitta tricincta |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Histeridae | Melittidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide (cosmopolitan) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle
A tiny, shiny black hister beetle commonly found in poultry houses where it preys on house fly larvae. It is an important biological control agent in livestock facilities.
Did You Know?
A single beetle can consume up to 24 house fly eggs per day, making it one of the best natural fly controls in hen houses.
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.