Early Bumblebee vs Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Early Bumblebee Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly
Scientific Name Bombus pratorum Xyela alpigena
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Xyelidae
Size 9-16mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Mountains
Diet Fruit Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, particularly Alpine regions
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.

Northern Pitch Twig Moth Sawfly

A minute sawfly that is part of the oldest surviving lineage of Hymenoptera. Adults have the distinctive elongated third antennal segment characteristic of xyelids.

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Did You Know?

This high-altitude species represents a living lineage that has survived essentially unchanged for over 200 million years.