Sand Wasp vs Tiny Dark Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Wasp Tiny Dark Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Bembix rostrata Lasioglossum villosulum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Halictidae
Size 15-22 mm 5-6 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa, Central Asia Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sand Wasp

A robust wasp that digs burrows in sandy soil and provisions them with flies. It progressively feeds its larvae fresh prey over several days.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike most solitary wasps, the mother continues to care for and feed her larvae after hatching.

Tiny Dark Sweat Bee

A tiny, inconspicuous furrow bee widespread across the Palearctic region. Despite its small size, it is an important pollinator of crops including onion seed and carrots.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the most important wild pollinators of commercial onion seed crops in Europe.