European Banded Ichneumon vs Alpine Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Banded Ichneumon | Alpine Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amblyteles armatorius | Bombus alpinus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Apidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Mountains |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula, Ural Mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
European Banded Ichneumon
A striking black and yellow ichneumon wasp that closely resembles a social wasp. It is a common parasitoid of noctuid moth pupae in soil.
Did You Know?
Its convincing mimicry of social wasps protects it from predators despite being completely harmless to humans.
Alpine Bumblebee
A large bumblebee with distinctive orange-red tail and dark body covered in dense fur. It is found at high elevations in Scandinavian mountains. Colonies are small due to the short growing season.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee has been observed foraging at altitudes exceeding 2000 meters in Scandinavia where few other pollinators venture.