Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee vs Rhododendron Lace Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee | Rhododendron Lace Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus bohemicus | Stephanitis rhododendri |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Apidae | Tingidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | North America, Europe |
| 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.
Rhododendron Lace Bug
A tiny lace bug with transparent, reticulate wings that infests rhododendron leaves. Native to North America, it causes silvery stippling on upper leaf surfaces and dark excrement spots beneath. Severe infestations reduce plant vigor.
Did You Know?
Adults and nymphs always feed on the undersides of leaves, creating a distinctive pattern of dark tar-like fecal spots that serves as a key diagnostic sign of infestation.