Belonging to the order Hymenoptera, bees are a group of insects renowned for their formidable stingers and exceptional nesting abilities. Some species of bees play a crucial role in human life.
Horned Tail Bee (Urocerus gigas) measures 3.4-4 cm in length and is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This impressive bee species has a sharp, hard ovipositor at the end of its abdomen, which it uses to bore holes into pine tree trunks to lay its eggs.
Leaf-Cutting Wasp (Cephus nigrinus) measures 7-9 mm in length and is common in Western Europe. The larvae of this species bore vertical holes into the stems of certain plants in the grass family (including various grasses and rice) that are cultivated or grow wild.
Apple Gall Wasp on Oak Leaves (Biorhiza pallida) measures 5-7 mm in length and has been recorded in the Eurasian continent. This wingless wasp lays its eggs in oak buds, resulting in the formation of large galls.
Giant Wasp (Chalcis sispes) measures 1-1.2 cm in length and is found in Europe and parts of Asia. The hind legs of this wasp have an unusual shape compared to other species.
Tarantula Hawk Wasp (Pepsis heros) measures 7-8 cm in length and is found in South America. This giant wasp hunts bird-eating spiders, paralyzing them and burying the prey to provide food for its larvae.
Velvet Ant (Mutilla europaea) measures 1.1-1.7 cm in length and has been recorded in Europe. This species inhabits sandy areas and rugged grasslands. Females of this species are wingless, and their larvae feed on the larvae of cuckoo bees.
Asian Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa latipes) measures 3-3.5 cm in length and is widely distributed across Southeast Asia. This large bee digs nesting cavities in tree branches or logs.
European Hornet (Vespa crabro) measures 2.5-3.5 cm in length and is common in Europe and Asia. This large, social wasp lives in forests and nests in hollow trees.
Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) measures 2.3-2.5 cm in length and is found in Central and Southern Europe and North Africa. This highly social bee plays an important role in pollinating crops and has been introduced to many other regions.
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) measures 1-1.2 cm in length and is distributed worldwide. In nature, this species nests in hollow trees. They are widely cultivated for honey and play a crucial role in pollinating crops.
