Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee vs Polar Willow Gall Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee | Polar Willow Gall Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psithyrus vestalis | Euura arcticum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Arctic Scandinavia, Svalbard |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.
Polar Willow Gall Sawfly
A tiny sawfly that induces galls on Arctic willow stems by injecting chemicals during egg-laying. The larva develops safely inside the swollen plant tissue. Adults are small and dark with clear wings.
Did You Know?
The gall provides the larva with both food and insulation, maintaining temperatures several degrees warmer than the outside air.