Red-tailed Bumblebee vs Spoonwing Lacewing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red-tailed Bumblebee | Spoonwing Lacewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus lapidarius | Nemoptera bipennis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Apidae | Nemopteridae |
| Size | 11-22 mm | 20-28 mm body |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe | Europe |
| 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.
Spoonwing Lacewing
A graceful insect with spatula-shaped hindwing extensions, giving it an ethereal appearance in flight. Common in Iberian Peninsula grasslands.
Did You Know?
The spoon-shaped hindwings create an unusual fluttering flight pattern that makes the insect difficult for predators to track.