Mountain Bumblebee vs Bee-fly Hawk Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Bumblebee Bee-fly Hawk Moth
Scientific Name Bombus monticola Macroglossum bombylans
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Sphingidae
Size 12-18 mm 30-40 mm
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland, alpine regions of Europe India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, southern China
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.

Bee-fly Hawk Moth

A small day-flying hawk moth that mimics a bumblebee with its furry body and buzzing flight. It visits flowers in gardens and forest edges across South and Southeast Asia.

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Did You Know?

Its species name 'bombylans' means 'buzzing like a bee,' referring to both its sound and appearance during flower visits.