Mountain Bumblebee vs American Cuckoo Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Bumblebee American Cuckoo Wasp
Scientific Name Bombus monticola Chrysis angolensis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Chrysididae
Size 12-18 mm 7-12 mm
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasites
Regions Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland, alpine regions of Europe Sub-Saharan Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mountain Bumblebee

A colorful bumblebee with bright red-orange tail, yellow thorax bands, and a black midriff. It is found at high altitudes and latitudes where it is an important pollinator. Queens are among the earliest bees to emerge.

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Did You Know?

This bumblebee can forage in driving rain and near-gale winds that keep other pollinating insects grounded.

American Cuckoo Wasp

A metallic green and blue cuckoo wasp found across sub-Saharan Africa. It parasitizes mud-nesting wasps and bees on rocky outcrops and buildings.

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Did You Know?

Despite its species name referencing Angola, it is found throughout most of tropical and southern Africa.