Metallic Ectatomma vs Early Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Metallic Ectatomma Early Bumblebee
Scientific Name Ectatomma ruidum Bombus pratorum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Apidae
Size 6-8 mm 9-16mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Mexico, Central America, Northern South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Metallic Ectatomma

A medium-sized ant with a metallic sheen common in neotropical lowland habitats. It forages individually on the ground and nests in small colonies in the soil.

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Did You Know?

Some workers specialize as thieves, stealing food from nestmates of other Ectatomma ruidum colonies rather than foraging.

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.