Northern Bumblebee vs Malagasy Orchid Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Northern Bumblebee | Malagasy Orchid Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus hyperboreus | Liotrigona madecassa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Arctic Russia | Madagascar |
| 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.
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.
Malagasy Orchid Bee
A tiny stingless bee that is one of Madagascar's most important pollinators. It has a black body with pale wing membranes and forms colonies in hollow tree trunks.
Did You Know?
Local communities harvest its honey, called 'tantely kely' in Malagasy, which is prized for its distinctive floral flavor and medicinal properties.