Wool Carder Bee vs Gothic Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wool Carder Bee | Gothic Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anthidium manicatum | Naenia typica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Megachilidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 10-17 mm | 40-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Wool Carder Bee
A robust yellow-and-black solitary bee whose females scrape plant hairs to line their nests. Males are territorial and aggressively patrol flower patches, even attacking bumblebees.
Did You Know?
Males have five sharp spines on their abdomen that they use to body-slam intruding bees.
Gothic Moth
A dark brown moth with intricate pale crosslines and markings resembling Gothic architecture. It is increasingly scarce across much of its former range.
Did You Know?
Despite being widespread, it has declined by over 80% in parts of northern Europe in recent decades.