Lapland Bumblebee vs Early Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lapland Bumblebee Early Bumblebee
Scientific Name Bombus lapponicus Bombus pratorum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Apidae
Size 12-18 mm 9-16mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Scandinavia, Scotland, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lapland Bumblebee

A medium-sized bumblebee with a distinctive orange tail and yellow collar band. It is well adapted to cold, windy conditions of mountain and tundra habitats. Workers forage efficiently even in poor weather.

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Did You Know?

Queens can emerge from hibernation and begin nest-building when snow still covers much of the ground.

Early Bumblebee

A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.