Wasp Nest Beetle vs Wallacea Giant Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wasp Nest Beetle | Wallacea Giant Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metoecus paradoxus | Megachile pluto |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ripiphoridae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 23-39 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Wasp Nest Beetle
A bizarre wedge-shaped beetle that develops as a parasitoid inside social wasp nests. Males have feathery antennae.
Did You Know?
One of the most unusual beetles in Europe, spending its entire larval development inside live wasp nests.
Wallacea Giant Bee
The worlds largest bee at 39 mm long with a 63 mm wingspan. Thought extinct for 38 years until rediscovered in Indonesia in 2019. Nests inside active termite mounds.
Did You Know?
Wallace giant bee was not seen alive by a scientist for 38 years — when rediscovered in 2019, it was found nesting inside active termite mounds, using tree resin to waterproof its cells.