Yellow-faced Horntail vs Spined Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow-faced Horntail Spined Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Sirex nitobei Agapostemon splendens
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Siricidae Halictidae
Size 15–30 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Wood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions East Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Yellow-faced Horntail

A large woodwasp native to East Asia that occasionally appears as an invasive species. Females bore into larch and pine to deposit eggs.

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Did You Know?

It carries the same damaging symbiotic fungus Amylostereum areolatum as its relative Sirex noctilio.

Spined Sweat Bee

A brilliantly iridescent green sweat bee with bluish reflections found in the eastern United States. Both sexes are entirely metallic green, unlike many other Agapostemon species.

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Did You Know?

It strongly prefers nesting in moist or damp soil near water, unlike most other sweat bees that prefer drier substrates.