Trachymyrmex Fungus-growing Ant vs Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Trachymyrmex Fungus-growing Ant Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
Scientific Name Trachymyrmex septentrionalis Bombus bohemicus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Apidae
Size 3-5 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Gardens Underground
Diet Detritivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Eastern United States Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Trachymyrmex Fungus-growing Ant

A small fungus-growing ant of eastern North America related to leafcutters. It collects dead plant material, caterpillar frass, and insect parts to feed its fungus garden.

💡

Did You Know?

It is the northernmost fungus-growing ant species, found as far north as Long Island, New York.

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee

A social parasite that invades colonies of other bumble bees, killing the queen and enslaving the workers. Females lack pollen baskets since they never collect pollen themselves.

💡

Did You Know?

After killing the host queen, the cuckoo female forces the orphaned workers to raise her own offspring instead.