Arctic Mosquito vs Bronze Furrow Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Mosquito Bronze Furrow Bee
Scientific Name Aedes nigripes Halictus tumulorum
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Culicidae Halictidae
Size 5-8 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Tundra & Arctic
Diet Blood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arctic Mosquito

A large, dark-bodied mosquito common across the Arctic tundra. Females emerge in enormous swarms after snowmelt to blood-feed on caribou and other mammals. Adults have dark scales and pale-banded legs.

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Did You Know?

Arctic mosquito swarms can be so dense they have been documented driving caribou to stampede across the tundra.

Bronze Furrow Bee

A small, dark metallic furrow bee with a subtle bronze sheen widespread across the Palearctic. It is primitively eusocial with small colonies.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most ubiquitous wild bees in Europe and can be found foraging in virtually any flower-rich habitat from sea level to mountaintops.