Birch Sawfly vs Lapland Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Birch Sawfly Lapland Bumblebee
Scientific Name Cimbex femoratus Bombus lapponicus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Cimbicidae Apidae
Size 20-28 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Parks Tundra & Arctic
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Scandinavia, Scotland, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Birch Sawfly

One of the largest European sawflies, with a stout body, clubbed antennae, and variable coloring from black to yellowish-brown. Larvae are large, pale green caterpillar-like grubs found curled on birch leaves.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the large larva can squirt a jet of fluid from glands above its spiracles as a defensive mechanism.

Lapland Bumblebee

A medium-sized bumblebee with a distinctive orange tail and yellow collar band. It is well adapted to cold, windy conditions of mountain and tundra habitats. Workers forage efficiently even in poor weather.

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Did You Know?

Queens can emerge from hibernation and begin nest-building when snow still covers much of the ground.