Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee vs Panzer's Nomad Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee | Panzer's Nomad Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psithyrus vestalis | Nomada panzeri |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Andrenidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee
A brood parasitic bumblebee that takes over colonies of the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. The female kills or subdues the host queen and uses the workers to raise her own offspring.
Did You Know?
Females infiltrate host bumblebee nests and take them over by force, enslaving the workers to raise cuckoo brood.
Panzer's Nomad Bee
A wasp-mimicking cleptoparasitic bee that targets Andrena mining bee nests. Its bright red, yellow, and black coloring warns predators of its sting.
Did You Know?
It has lost all pollen-collecting structures because its larvae are fed entirely by stolen provisions from mining bee nests.