Thorn Bug vs Early Bumblebee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thorn Bug Early Bumblebee
Scientific Name Umbonia crassicornis Bombus pratorum
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Membracidae Apidae
Size 10-12 mm 9-16mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Sap Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Central America, South America, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Thorn Bug

Extraordinary treehopper with a thorn-shaped pronotum that makes it look exactly like a plant thorn when sitting on a branch. Mothers guard eggs and nymphs aggressively.

💡

Did You Know?

Treehoppers have evolved the most bizarre body shapes of any insect — their enlarged pronotum can mimic thorns, helicopter blades, antlers, and even ant-like forms.

Early Bumblebee

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

💡

Did You Know?

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