Painted Nomad Bee vs Bean Aphid Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Nomad Bee Bean Aphid Parasite
Scientific Name Nomada fucata Lysiphlebus fabarum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Braconidae
Size 8-10mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Parasitoids Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Nomad Bee

A bright yellow and black cuckoo bee that parasitizes the nests of Andrena mining bees.

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Did You Know?

Sneaks into mining bee nests while the host is away foraging and lays eggs that will outcompete the host's larva.

Bean Aphid Parasite

A minute braconid wasp that parasitizes black bean aphids and related species. Some populations reproduce asexually, consisting entirely of females.

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Did You Know?

Certain populations are entirely female and reproduce through parthenogenesis caused by infection with Wolbachia bacteria.