Painted Nomad Bee vs Yellow-legged Ophion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Nomad Bee Yellow-legged Ophion
Scientific Name Nomada fucata Ophion scutellaris
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Ichneumonidae
Size 8-10mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Yellow-legged Ophion

A large orange-brown ichneumon wasp commonly attracted to light at night. Parasitizes large moth caterpillars. Has a laterally compressed, blade-like abdomen.

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Did You Know?

One of the most commonly reported ichneumon wasps in houses, drawn to lights on summer evenings.