Great Banded Furrow Bee vs Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Banded Furrow Bee | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Halictus scabiosae | Psithyrus vestalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Halictidae | Apidae |
| Size | 13-16 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern and Central Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Banded Furrow Bee
One of Europe's largest halictid bees, with prominent white abdominal hair bands. It is a eusocial species expanding its range northward, likely due to climate warming.
Did You Know?
Its range has expanded northward by several hundred kilometers in recent decades, making it a clear indicator species for climate change effects on insects.
Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.