Variegated Cutworm vs Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variegated Cutworm | Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Peridroma saucia | Halictus ligatus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 40-55 mm wingspan | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Variegated Cutworm
A mottled brown moth whose plump soil-dwelling caterpillars cut through stems of seedlings at ground level. It attacks a very wide range of vegetables and field crops.
Did You Know?
A single caterpillar can cut down several seedlings in one night, often felling far more plants than it actually eats.
Sweat Bee
A small, dark metallic bee that is attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. It exhibits variable social behavior ranging from solitary to primitively eusocial nesting.
Did You Know?
Sweat bees are among the most important wild pollinators of crops, and some species can switch between solitary and social living depending on environmental conditions.