Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee vs Subterranean Termite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee | Subterranean Termite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psithyrus vestalis | Reticulitermes flavipes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Apidae | Rhinotermitidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 4-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Wood Feeders |
| 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.
Subterranean Termite
The most economically destructive termite species in North America, living in underground colonies that can number in the millions. Workers forage through soil to reach wood.
Did You Know?
Eastern subterranean termites cause an estimated five billion dollars in property damage annually in the United States alone.