Alpine Bumblebee vs Eastern Carpenter Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Bumblebee | Eastern Carpenter Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus alpinus | Xylocopa virginica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Size | 14-20 mm | 19-23 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula, Ural Mountains | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Not Evaluated |
Alpine Bumblebee
A large bumblebee with distinctive orange-red tail and dark body covered in dense fur. It is found at high elevations in Scandinavian mountains. Colonies are small due to the short growing season.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee has been observed foraging at altitudes exceeding 2000 meters in Scandinavia where few other pollinators venture.
Eastern Carpenter Bee
A large robust bee that resembles a bumble bee but has a shiny black hairless abdomen. It excavates nesting tunnels in wood and is an effective pollinator of many garden flowers and crops.
Did You Know?
Males are extremely territorial and will hover aggressively near people, but they lack a stinger and cannot sting.