Golden Northern Bumble Bee vs Heath Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden Northern Bumble Bee | Heath Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus fervidus | Bombylius minor |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Apidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 14-20 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern and central United States and southern Canada | Europe |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Golden Northern Bumble Bee
A large bumble bee with an almost entirely yellow-furred thorax and anterior abdomen. It is a generalist pollinator found across much of North America.
Did You Know?
Queens can survive winter temperatures by producing glycerol in their blood, which acts as a natural antifreeze.
Heath Bee Fly
A small, late-summer bee fly with greyish fur and clear wings. Its larvae parasitize solitary wasps in sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
Unlike most bee flies that appear in spring, this species flies mainly in July and August.