Japanese Honeybee vs Badger Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Honeybee Badger Flea
Scientific Name Apis cerana japonica Paraceras melis
Order Hymenoptera Siphonaptera
Family Apidae Ceratophyllidae
Size 10-13 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions East Asia, Japan Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Honeybee

The Japanese subspecies of the Eastern honeybee, known as 'nihon-mitsubachi.' Smaller and darker than the European honeybee. Famous for its unique defensive behavior against giant hornets.

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Did You Know?

Japanese honeybees can form a thermal ball around a hornet scout, vibrating their flight muscles to raise the temperature to lethal levels for the hornet.

Badger Flea

A large flea specialized to parasitize European badgers. It is found in badger setts and is one of the largest flea species in Europe.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the largest fleas in the world and its size corresponds to the thick skin of its badger host.