Yellow Ophion vs Large-headed Resin Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Ophion Large-headed Resin Bee
Scientific Name Ophion obscuratus Heriades truncorum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Megachilidae
Size 14-18 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Orchards
Diet Parasitoids Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Ophion

A laterally flattened, tawny-yellow parasitoid wasp active at dusk and after dark. Its larvae develop as internal parasitoids of noctuid moth caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

Its laterally compressed abdomen is thought to help it slip between grass blades when searching for host caterpillars.

Large-headed Resin Bee

A tiny black resin bee with a disproportionately large head that nests in beetle holes and hollow stems. It uses plant resin to construct partitions between brood cells.

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Did You Know?

Its oversized head allows it to perfectly plug the entrance of its narrow nest cavity like a living door.