Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp vs Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle
Scientific Name Diplolepis rosae Castiarina octospilota
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Cynipidae Buprestidae
Size 2.5–4 mm 8-13 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Gall Makers Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Australia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp

A gall wasp that forms spectacular mossy red-green growths on wild roses. Each gall may contain up to 60 larval chambers.

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Did You Know?

In medieval times, its galls were placed under pillows as a supposed cure for insomnia.

Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle

A compact jewel beetle with eight distinctive pale spots arranged on dark metallic elytra. It is an active flower visitor in spring and summer.

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Did You Know?

Despite its small size, each spot on its wing covers is perfectly symmetrical between left and right sides.