Two-coloured Mason Bee vs Crucifer Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Two-coloured Mason Bee Crucifer Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Osmia bicolor Phyllotreta cruciferae
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Megachilidae Chrysomelidae
Size 8-11 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe North America, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Two-coloured Mason Bee

A distinctive bee with a black head and thorax and bright orange abdominal hair. It uniquely nests inside empty snail shells on chalk grasslands.

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Did You Know?

After filling a snail shell with pollen and eggs, the female camouflages it by piling grass and plant stems over it.

Crucifer Flea Beetle

A shiny black jumping beetle that causes shothole damage on canola and mustard seedlings. It is one of the most serious pests of prairie canola crops.

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Did You Know?

Canola seed treatments with neonicotinoids were developed primarily to combat this beetle.