Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee vs Spruce Budworm Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee | Spruce Budworm Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psithyrus vestalis | Meteorus trachynotus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Braconidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| 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.
Spruce Budworm Parasite
A small brown braconid wasp that is a key natural enemy of the spruce budworm in North American boreal forests. It suspends its cocoon on a silk thread from the host.
Did You Know?
Its cocoon dangles from a silk thread like a tiny pendulum, which may protect it from ground-dwelling predators.