Western Harvester Ant vs Plasterer Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Harvester Ant Plasterer Bee
Scientific Name Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Colletes hederae
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Colletidae
Size 6-10 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Grasslands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Western United States and southwestern Canada Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Western Harvester Ant

A large red ant that constructs conspicuous gravel-topped mound nests in western grasslands. It clears all vegetation from a wide circle around its nest entrance.

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Did You Know?

Its sting is one of the most painful among North American ants and has been rated highly on the Schmidt pain index.

Plasterer Bee

A solitary bee discovered in 1993 that is a specialist pollinator of ivy flowers.

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Did You Know?

It lines its brood cells with a waterproof cellophane-like secretion.