South American Cuckoo Bee vs Spruce Budworm Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Cuckoo Bee | Spruce Budworm Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Exaerete frontalis | Meteorus trachynotus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Braconidae |
| Size | 22-28 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Forests |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
South American Cuckoo Bee
A large metallic blue-green cleptoparasitic orchid bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other orchid bees. Its mandibles are strong enough to break into sealed brood cells.
Did You Know?
Its larvae first consume the host's food stores, then devour the host bee larva itself before pupating in the stolen nest cell.
Spruce Budworm Parasite
A small brown braconid wasp that is a key natural enemy of the spruce budworm in North American boreal forests. It suspends its cocoon on a silk thread from the host.
Did You Know?
Its cocoon dangles from a silk thread like a tiny pendulum, which may protect it from ground-dwelling predators.