Tormus Bee vs Cypress Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tormus Bee | Cypress Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Perdita minima | Monoctenus juniperi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southwestern United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tormus Bee
The smallest known bee in the world at under 2 mm in length. It is a solitary ground-nesting species found in the southwestern US deserts.
Did You Know?
It is so tiny that it could comfortably fit inside the letter O on a printed page.
Cypress Sawfly
A small sawfly with pectinate antennae in males whose green larvae feed on juniper and cypress foliage. Heavy infestations can discolor and thin ornamental junipers.
Did You Know?
This is one of the few diprionid sawflies that feeds on cupressaceous conifers rather than the more typical pine or spruce hosts.