Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee vs Western Yellowjacket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee | Western Yellowjacket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus variabilis | Vespula pensylvanica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 11-16 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Central and Eastern North America | Western North America from Alaska to Mexico |
| Conservation | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee
A rare social parasite bumble bee that takes over colonies of other Bombus species in North America. Queens invade host nests, kill the resident queen, and enslave her workers.
Did You Know?
It produces no workers of its own and depends entirely on the labor of its host species to raise its offspring.
Western Yellowjacket
The most common yellowjacket in western North America with a distinctive diamond-shaped black mark on its first abdominal segment. It is a frequent uninvited guest at outdoor picnics.
Did You Know?
In Hawaii, where it was accidentally introduced, it has become a serious invasive pest threatening native insects.