Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee vs Fairyfly Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee | Fairyfly Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus bohemicus | Dicopomorpha echmepterygis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Mymaridae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 0.139-0.240 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
A social parasite that invades colonies of other bumble bees, killing the queen and enslaving the workers. Females lack pollen baskets since they never collect pollen themselves.
Did You Know?
After killing the host queen, the cuckoo female forces the orphaned workers to raise her own offspring instead.
Fairyfly Wasp
The smallest known insect in the world at just 0.139 mm in length. Males are blind, wingless, and smaller than some single-celled organisms.
Did You Know?
Males of this species are smaller than a paramecium — they are blind and wingless, existing solely to mate with sisters before they even leave the host egg.