Neon Cuckoo Bee vs Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neon Cuckoo Bee | Rusty Patched Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thyreus nitidulus | Bombus affinis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 13-20 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Upper Midwest and northeastern United States, now extremely restricted |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Critically Endangered |
Neon Cuckoo Bee
A stunning blue-spotted cleptoparasite that lays eggs in the nests of blue-banded bees. The cuckoo larva hatches first and consumes the host's pollen provisions.
Did You Know?
Their brilliant blue spots are formed by dense patches of iridescent hairs that mimic the coloring of their host bees.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
A once-common bumble bee named for the rust-colored patch on the second abdominal segment of workers. It was the first bumble bee in the continental United States listed as endangered.
Did You Know?
Its range has shrunk by nearly 87 percent since the 1990s, making it one of the rarest bees in North America.