Solomon's Seal Sawfly vs Desert Honeybee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Solomon's Seal Sawfly Desert Honeybee
Scientific Name Phymatocera aterrima Apis mellifera jemenitica
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Apidae
Size 8-10 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Underground Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Africa, Middle East
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Solomon's Seal Sawfly

A small, entirely black sawfly whose grayish-white larvae with black heads are highly destructive to Solomon's seal plants. Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward.

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Did You Know?

The larvae are so well camouflaged against the undersides of Solomon's seal leaves that gardeners often only notice them after severe damage is done.

Desert Honeybee

A small, heat-tolerant subspecies of honeybee native to the deserts of Africa and Arabia. It can forage at temperatures that would ground other bee subspecies.

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Did You Know?

It is highly resistant to the Varroa mite, making it a valuable genetic resource for beekeeping worldwide.