Arctic Bumblebee vs Desert Digger Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Bumblebee | Desert Digger Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus polaris | Centris pallida |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Svalbard, Siberia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Bumblebee
A large, densely furred bumblebee with yellow and black banding adapted to extreme cold. Its thick pile of hair provides superior insulation. Queens emerge from hibernation as soon as snow melts.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee can maintain its flight muscle temperature at 30 degrees Celsius even when the air temperature is near freezing, thanks to its exceptional insulation.
Desert Digger Bee
A large, fuzzy solitary bee of the Sonoran Desert that nests in burrows in hard-packed soil. Males patrol nesting areas and dig up emerging females to mate.
Did You Know?
Males locate females still underground by detecting their scent through the soil surface.