Solomon's Seal Sawfly vs Texas Striped Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Solomon's Seal Sawfly Texas Striped Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Phymatocera aterrima Agapostemon texanus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Halictidae
Size 8-10 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe North America, Central America
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.

Texas Striped Sweat Bee

A widespread metallic green sweat bee found across much of North America. Males have distinctive black and yellow abdominal stripes contrasting with their green thorax.

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Did You Know?

Males often gather in sleeping clusters on plant stems at dusk, gripping with their mandibles and hanging motionless overnight.