American Bumble Bee vs Two-coloured Mason Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Bumble Bee | Two-coloured Mason Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus pensylvanicus | Osmia bicolor |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Megachilidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States, now declining across its range | Europe |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
American Bumble Bee
A large bumble bee with a yellow thorax, black band between the wings, and a mostly yellow abdomen. Once one of the most common bumble bees in North America, it has experienced significant population declines.
Did You Know?
Its populations have declined by nearly 90 percent in some regions, prompting conservation concern across its entire range.
Two-coloured Mason Bee
A distinctive bee with a black head and thorax and bright orange abdominal hair. It uniquely nests inside empty snail shells on chalk grasslands.
Did You Know?
After filling a snail shell with pollen and eggs, the female camouflages it by piling grass and plant stems over it.