Rusty Patched Bumble Bee vs Painted Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rusty Patched Bumble Bee | Painted Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus affinis | Sargus cuprarius |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Apidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 13-20 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Upper Midwest and northeastern United States, now extremely restricted | Europe |
| Conservation | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
A once-common bumble bee named for the rust-colored patch on the second abdominal segment of workers. It was the first bumble bee in the continental United States listed as endangered.
Did You Know?
Its range has shrunk by nearly 87 percent since the 1990s, making it one of the rarest bees in North America.
Painted Soldier Fly
A brilliantly metallic coppery-green soldier fly with a slender body and clear wings. It basks on sunlit vegetation and is often seen on hogweed and other umbellifers.
Did You Know?
Its metallic sheen changes color depending on the viewing angle, a phenomenon called structural coloration.