Variegated Flower Beetle vs Desert Cuckoo Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variegated Flower Beetle | Desert Cuckoo Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gnorimus variabilis | Nomada texana |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Apidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Parks | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Variegated Flower Beetle
A dark brown or black beetle with variable yellow-white spots on the elytra. It is extremely rare and tied to ancient hollow trees.
Did You Know?
It is so rare in Britain that it has been found at only a handful of sites in its entire recorded history.
Desert Cuckoo Bee
A parasitic wasp-like bee that lays its eggs in the nests of other desert bees. Its larvae consume the host's pollen provisions.
Did You Know?
It lacks pollen-collecting hairs entirely since it never gathers pollen for its own offspring.