Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee vs Sirex Woodwasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Viper's Bugloss Mining Bee | Sirex Woodwasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena nasuta | Sirex noctilio |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Siricidae |
| Size | 11-13 mm | 15-36 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Farmland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Africa, Australasia, South 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.
Sirex Woodwasp
A large blue-black woodwasp that bores into pine trees to lay eggs. It injects a symbiotic fungus into the wood that feeds its developing larvae.
Did You Know?
Females carry a special fungus in abdominal glands and inoculate trees during egg-laying.