Gum-Tree Pergid Sawfly vs Large Garden Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gum-Tree Pergid Sawfly | Large Garden Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Perga polita | Bombus ruderatus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pergidae | Apidae |
| Size | 14-20 mm | 14-24 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern Australia | Europe, New Zealand, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gum-Tree Pergid Sawfly
A robust Australian sawfly with a dark, polished body. Its gregarious larvae cluster on eucalyptus branches and produce a strong eucalyptus odor when disturbed.
Did You Know?
The powerful eucalyptus-oil smell released by disturbed larvae can be detected from several meters away and serves as a chemical defense.
Large Garden Bumble Bee
A long-tongued bumble bee introduced to New Zealand in the early 1900s to pollinate red clover. They have one of the longest tongues of any bumble bee species.
Did You Know?
They were intentionally shipped from England to New Zealand because they were the only bees with tongues long enough to pollinate red clover.