Arctic Bumblebee vs Punctate Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Bumblebee | Punctate Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus polaris | Lasioglossum punctatissimum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Svalbard, Siberia | Europe, Western Asia |
| 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.
Punctate Sweat Bee
A tiny, dark furrow bee with dense punctation covering its thorax and head. It is one of the most common but overlooked solitary bees in European grasslands.
Did You Know?
Its heavily sculpted exoskeleton with thousands of tiny pits gives it a matte finish that distinguishes it from shinier related species.