Northern Bumblebee vs Rosemary Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Bumblebee Rosemary Beetle
Scientific Name Bombus hyperboreus Chrysolina americana
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Apidae Chrysomelidae
Size 18-24 mm 5-8mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Parasites Herbivores
Regions Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Arctic Russia Europe, Africa
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.

Rosemary Beetle

A small oval beetle with metallic green and purple stripes on its elytra. Despite its name, it originates from southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its scientific name americana was given in error as the species is native to southern Europe and North Africa.