Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly vs Boreal Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly | Boreal Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xanthogramma pedissequum | Bombus borealis |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Apidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Northern Canada, Alaska, boreal regions of the northern United States |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly
A striking yellow-and-black hoverfly that mimics a wasp. Larvae develop inside ant nests where they feed on root aphids tended by the ants. A declining species in parts of its range.
Did You Know?
Larvae live inside ant nests and feed on the root aphids that ants keep as 'livestock'.
Boreal Bumblebee
A medium-sized bumblebee with yellow bands on the thorax and a white-tipped abdomen. It nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows. Workers are efficient foragers in the cool northern climate.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee has an unusually long tongue for its body size, allowing it to access nectar from deep tubular flowers that other bees cannot reach.