Early Bumblebee vs Bee Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Early Bumblebee Bee Beetle
Scientific Name Bombus pratorum Trichius fasciatus
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Apidae Scarabaeidae
Size 9-16mm 9-13 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Bee Beetle

A fuzzy, yellow-and-black banded beetle that closely resembles a bumblebee. Adults visit flowers and feed on pollen.

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Did You Know?

Its bumblebee mimicry is so convincing that it is often mistaken for the real thing.