Crotch's Bumblebee vs Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Crotch's Bumblebee | Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombus crotchii | Chrysis viridula |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 10-16 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | California, western USA | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Crotch's Bumblebee
A western North American bumblebee that has declined by over 90% from its historical range. Once common in California's Central Valley. Threatened by pesticides and habitat loss.
Did You Know?
Has vanished from most of California's agricultural Central Valley where it was once the dominant bumblebee.
Fire-tailed Cuckoo Wasp
A metallic green cuckoo wasp with a distinctive red-gold abdomen tipped with four small teeth. It parasitizes the nests of cavity-nesting solitary wasps.
Did You Know?
The number of teeth on the tip of the abdomen is a key feature used to identify different cuckoo wasp species.