Knapweed Gall Weevil vs Gwynne's Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Knapweed Gall Weevil | Gwynne's Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bangasternus fausti | Andrena bicolor |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Curculionidae | Andrenidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Knapweed Gall Weevil
A weevil that induces galls in knapweed flower heads. Larvae develop inside the enlarged flower buds. Used in biological control of invasive knapweeds in North America.
Did You Know?
Released in North America as biocontrol for invasive spotted knapweed, which costs ranchers millions annually.
Gwynne's Mining Bee
A small, common mining bee with a two-toned appearance: dark brown thorax and orange-brown abdominal hair. It produces two generations per year in most of its range.
Did You Know?
Its two annual generations visit completely different sets of flowers, with spring bees favoring trees and summer bees preferring brambles.