Field Digger Wasp vs Wool Carder Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Field Digger Wasp Wool Carder Bee
Scientific Name Mellinus arvensis Anthidium manicatum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Megachilidae
Size 10-14mm 10-17 mm
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Field Digger Wasp

A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.

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Did You Know?

Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.

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.

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Did You Know?

Males have five sharp spines on their abdomen that they use to body-slam intruding bees.