Banded Ichneumon vs Western Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Ichneumon | Western Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ichneumon xanthorius | Bombus occidentalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Apidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 10-22 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Mountains |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Banded Ichneumon
A boldly patterned black-and-yellow parasitoid wasp commonly found in European gardens. It parasitizes large moth caterpillars that pupate in soil.
Did You Know?
Despite its wasp-like warning colors, it rarely stings and is harmless to humans.
Western Bumble Bee
A once-common bumble bee of western North America that has experienced dramatic population declines since the late 1990s. They nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows.
Did You Know?
Their catastrophic decline is linked to a pathogen accidentally spread through commercial bumble bee rearing facilities.