Sirex Woodwasp vs Wool Carder Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sirex Woodwasp | Wool Carder Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sirex noctilio | Anthidium manicatum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Siricidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 15-36 mm | 10-17 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Africa, Australasia, South America | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sirex Woodwasp
A large blue-black woodwasp that bores into pine trees to lay eggs. It injects a symbiotic fungus into the wood that feeds its developing larvae.
Did You Know?
Females carry a special fungus in abdominal glands and inoculate trees during egg-laying.
Wool Carder Bee
A robust yellow-and-black solitary bee whose females scrape plant hairs to line their nests. Males are territorial and aggressively patrol flower patches, even attacking bumblebees.
Did You Know?
Males have five sharp spines on their abdomen that they use to body-slam intruding bees.