Biting Midge (No-See-Um) vs Garden Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) | Garden Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides imicola | Bombus hortorum |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Apidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 12-22mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Biting Midge (No-See-Um)
A tiny biting midge that is the primary Old World vector of bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus. It breeds in moist, organically enriched soil and is crepuscular, biting at dawn and dusk. Its northward spread into Europe has introduced bluetongue to previously unaffected areas.
Did You Know?
Climate change has allowed this midge to expand northward into Europe, bringing bluetongue disease to countries that had never experienced it.
Garden Bumblebee
A long-tongued bumblebee with three yellow bands and a white tail. Specializes in deep tubular flowers.
Did You Know?
Has the longest tongue of any common bumblebee species, allowing it to access nectar in deep tubular flowers.