Blunthorn Bee vs Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blunthorn Bee | Tundra Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta haemorrhoidalis | Ichneumon gracilicornis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blunthorn Bee
A late-summer specialist bee that collects pollen almost exclusively from bellflowers. It has a distinctively short tongue for a melittid bee.
Did You Know?
Females often become completely dusted in blue bellflower pollen, giving them a striking violet-tinged appearance.
Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
A medium-sized ichneumon wasp with a black body and conspicuous yellow-banded abdomen. It has a long, slender ovipositor for parasitizing moth pupae. Adults are active during the Arctic summer's long daylight hours.
Did You Know?
Ichneumon wasps in the Arctic play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of defoliating moths in birch forests.