Smeathman's Furrow Bee vs Steel-blue Cricket Hunter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Smeathman's Furrow Bee Steel-blue Cricket Hunter
Scientific Name Lasioglossum smeathmanellum Chlorion aerarium
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Halictidae Sphecidae
Size 4-5 mm 18-28 mm
Habitat Underground Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, North Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Smeathman's Furrow Bee

One of the smallest bees in the world, this tiny metallic species nests in old mortar joints and earthen banks. It is surprisingly common in European towns and cities.

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Did You Know?

At just 4 mm long it is barely larger than a grain of rice and is frequently mistaken for a tiny fly.

Steel-blue Cricket Hunter

A large metallic blue wasp that hunts field crickets and mole crickets. It drags paralyzed prey into burrows to provision its nest cells.

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Did You Know?

It enters cricket burrows headfirst to sting and extract its prey from underground.