Early Bumblebee vs African Scoliid Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Early Bumblebee African Scoliid Wasp
Scientific Name Bombus pratorum Megascolia vittata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Scoliidae
Size 9-16mm 30-45 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Fruit Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Sub-Saharan Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Early Bumblebee

A small bumblebee with yellow collar, yellow midriff band and an orange tail. One of the first to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

One of the earliest bumblebees to appear each year, sometimes seen as early as February on mild days.

African Scoliid Wasp

A very large black and yellow-banded scoliid wasp from sub-Saharan Africa. It parasitizes goliath beetle and other large scarab beetle larvae in forest soils.

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Did You Know?

It targets some of the largest beetle grubs on Earth, including those of goliath beetles weighing over 100 grams.