Yellow Flower Wasp vs Large Scabious Mining Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Flower Wasp Large Scabious Mining Bee
Scientific Name Radumeris tasmaniensis Andrena hattorfiana
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scoliidae Andrenidae
Size 25-40 mm 14-17 mm
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Australia, Oceania Europe
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Yellow Flower Wasp

A large, robust wasp with a bright yellow and black body commonly seen visiting flowers in Australian gardens. Females burrow into soil to parasitise beetle larvae, particularly Christmas beetle grubs.

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Did You Know?

Male yellow flower wasps are often seen carrying females during mating flights, sometimes visiting flowers while still coupled.

Large Scabious Mining Bee

One of the largest European mining bees with a striking red abdomen loaded with pink pollen. It is a specialist of field scabious flowers.

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Did You Know?

Females can carry a huge ball of bright pink scabious pollen on their hind legs that is visible from several meters away.