Early Bumblebee vs Hummingbird Hawk-Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Early Bumblebee Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Scientific Name Bombus pratorum Macroglossum stellatarum
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Sphingidae
Size 9-16mm 40-50 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Early Bumblebee

A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth

A day-flying moth that hovers at flowers and produces an audible hum, almost perfectly mimicking a hummingbird. Has exceptional visual memory for flower locations.

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Did You Know?

This moth can remember the locations of hundreds of individual flowers and times its visits to when nectar is replenished — a memory feat unmatched by most insects.