Red-tailed Bumblebee vs Desert Digger Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red-tailed Bumblebee | Desert Digger Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus lapidarius | Centris pallida |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Size | 11-22 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red-tailed Bumblebee
A jet-black bumblebee with a vivid orange-red tail that is unmistakable in flight. It commonly nests underground in old mouse burrows and stone walls.
Did You Know?
Its nest name 'lapidarius' means 'of stones' because it often nests beneath rocks and walls.
Desert Digger Bee
A large, fuzzy solitary bee of the Sonoran Desert that nests in burrows in hard-packed soil. Males patrol nesting areas and dig up emerging females to mate.
Did You Know?
Males locate females still underground by detecting their scent through the soil surface.