Pacific Cuckoo Wasp vs Early Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pacific Cuckoo Wasp | Early Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysis pellucidula | Bombus pratorum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chrysididae | Apidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 9-16mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pacific Cuckoo Wasp
A brightly metallic cuckoo wasp with green-blue head and thorax and a coppery red abdomen. It parasitizes solitary mason bees and wasps in the western US.
Did You Know?
It times its nest infiltration perfectly, sneaking in while the host wasp is away collecting provisions.
Early Bumblebee
A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.
Did You Know?
One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.