Northern Bumblebee vs Indian Flower Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Bumblebee Indian Flower Mantis
Scientific Name Bombus hyperboreus Creobroter pictipennis
Order Hymenoptera Mantodea
Family Apidae Hymenopodidae
Size 18-24 mm 30-40 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Parasites Predators
Regions Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Arctic Russia Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Indian Flower Mantis

A small, colorful flower mantis with green and white coloring and a single large eyespot on each forewing. It frequents flowering bushes where it ambushes pollinators.

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Did You Know?

Indian flower mantises have been observed swaying rhythmically on branches, a behavior believed to mimic flowers moving in a gentle breeze to lure prey.