Northern Bumblebee vs Hawaiian Big-headed Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Bumblebee | Hawaiian Big-headed Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus hyperboreus | Pheidole megacephala |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Arctic Russia | Hawaii, Pacific Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Northern Bumblebee
A very large, heavily furred bumblebee with orange and black coloring. It is a social parasite that takes over colonies of Bombus polaris. Queens are notably larger than their host species.
Did You Know?
This is the most northerly bumblebee in the world and is a cuckoo bee that kills or subjugates Bombus polaris queens to take over their nests.
Hawaiian Big-headed Ant
An invasive ant now widespread in Hawaii with a disproportionately large head in the soldier caste. It displaces native insects throughout the islands.
Did You Know?
It is listed among the world's 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN.