Short-tailed Ichneumon vs Desert Large-headed Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Short-tailed Ichneumon Desert Large-headed Bee
Scientific Name Ophion luteus Ctenocolletes nigricans
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Stenotritidae
Size 15-20 mm 11-15 mm
Habitat Underground Deserts & Drylands
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Central and Western Australia
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Short-tailed Ichneumon

A nocturnal parasitoid wasp with a strongly compressed, amber-orange body. It is commonly attracted to lights at night throughout Europe.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most ichneumons, Ophion luteus is almost entirely nocturnal and frequently enters houses drawn by artificial light.

Desert Large-headed Bee

A dark-bodied, heat-tolerant bee found in arid inland Australia. It forages during the hottest parts of the day when most other bees are inactive.

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Did You Know?

It can remain active in ambient temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius that would ground most other bee species.