Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee vs Common Pollen Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee | Common Pollen Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena nasuta | Brassicogethes aeneus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Nitidulidae |
| Size | 11-13 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia, North America |
| 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.
Common Pollen Beetle
A tiny iridescent green-black beetle that congregates in yellow flowers to feed on pollen. It is a major pest of oilseed rape crops.
Did You Know?
On warm days they can be so numerous on yellow flowers that a single buttercup may contain a dozen individuals.