Willow Sawfly vs Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Willow Sawfly Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee
Scientific Name Nematus salicis Bombus bohemicus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Apidae
Size 7-9 mm (adult) 15-22 mm
Habitat Wetlands Underground
Diet Herbivores Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Northern Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Willow Sawfly

A defoliator of willows across Europe found in wetlands and riparian areas. Larvae feed gregariously on willow leaves from May to autumn.

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Did You Know?

Multiple overlapping generations allow continuous feeding pressure throughout the growing season.

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.

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Did You Know?

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