Steelblue Ichneumon vs Blue Orchard Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Steelblue Ichneumon | Blue Orchard Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lissopimpla excelsa | Osmia lignaria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia, New Zealand | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Steelblue Ichneumon
A metallic blue-black ichneumon wasp native to Australia. It is an important parasitoid of pest caterpillars including the introduced cabbage moth.
Did You Know?
It was deliberately introduced to New Zealand to help control pest moth populations in agriculture.
Blue Orchard Bee
A metallic dark blue solitary bee that nests in pre-existing holes in wood. It is an exceptionally efficient pollinator of fruit trees, significantly outperforming honey bees per individual.
Did You Know?
A single blue orchard bee can pollinate as effectively as 60 to 80 honey bees, making them increasingly important for commercial fruit production.