Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee vs Carpenter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee | Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena nasuta | Xylocopa violacea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Apidae |
| Size | 11-13 mm | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Woodlands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee
A specialist mining bee with an elongated face adapted for feeding on tubular flowers, particularly viper's bugloss. It is found primarily in coastal and sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
Its elongated face and tongue are so specialized for viper's bugloss flowers that it struggles to feed from most other flower shapes.
Carpenter Bee
A large, robust bee with an entirely black body showing violet-blue iridescent wings. It excavates nest tunnels in dead wood and is an important pollinator of open-faced flowers.
Did You Know?
Despite their intimidating size and loud buzz, male carpenter bees are completely harmless as they lack a stinger and merely bluff when defending their territory.