Great Yellow Bumblebee vs Smoky Wainscot

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Great Yellow Bumblebee Smoky Wainscot
Scientific Name Bombus distinguendus Mythimna impura
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Apidae Noctuidae
Size 15-22mm 28-34 mm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Great Yellow Bumblebee

A large strikingly yellow bumblebee with a band of darker hair. One of the rarest bumblebees in Britain.

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Did You Know?

Now restricted to a few Scottish islands and the far north coast, having disappeared from 80 percent of its range.

Smoky Wainscot

A dull brownish wainscot moth extremely common in grasslands. Larvae feed on various grass species. Often confused with the similar Common Wainscot.

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Did You Know?

So similar to the Common Wainscot that reliable identification often requires examination of genitalia.