Saint Helena Earwig vs Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Saint Helena Earwig Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
Scientific Name Labidura herculeana Psithyrus vestalis
Order Dermaptera Hymenoptera
Family Labiduridae Apidae
Size 78 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Omnivores Parasites
Regions Africa Europe
Conservation Extinct Least Concern

Saint Helena Earwig

Was the worlds largest earwig at 78 mm. Endemic to Saint Helena island. Not seen since 1967 and declared extinct in 2014 due to habitat destruction and invasive species.

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Did You Know?

The Saint Helena giant earwig — the worlds largest earwig at 78 mm — went extinct without most people knowing it existed. It was last seen alive in 1967.

Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee

A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.

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Did You Know?

Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.