Tarnished Plant Bug vs Early Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tarnished Plant Bug Early Bumblebee
Scientific Name Lygus lineolaris Bombus pratorum
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Miridae Apidae
Size 5-7 mm 9-16mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tarnished Plant Bug

A small, mottled brown and green plant bug that is one of the most damaging agricultural pests in North America. It feeds on over 300 plant species, causing distorted growth and blemished fruits. The adults are strong fliers that readily colonize new fields.

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Did You Know?

Its feeding injects a toxin that destroys plant cells around the feeding site, causing the characteristic dimpled, scarred appearance on strawberries known as 'catfacing.'

Early Bumblebee

A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.