Bombus sylvestris?

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

I have loaded 3 pics each of what I think are a male and female Bombus sylvestris in the Image Library. I have put my reasoning for each under the pics, linking to one of each here.

I have had lots of B. vestalis but this female looks different, more chunky.





Thanks for any help!

Janet

[eucera]

The male clearly IS B. sylvestris but I'm not 100% certain that the queen is as I can't see the bits I need to see at all clearly.

Cheers, Stuart

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Stuart!

Did you look at the other two images of the female I put in the Image Gallery?





I have one more pic from directly above but a little further away as I had to stand on a bank to get it. Which parts do you need to see, I have the originals still and have 3 more which I didn't process, another from above and two from a slightly behind angle but these probably won't show you any more.

Janet

[JRsbugs]

OK here's the top view, hope that can help!



Cheers!

Janet

[eucera]

Hi Janet

I really can't be sure. The bits I need to see are a pair of structures on the underside of the last ventral segment of the abdomen - and these need to be looked at down a microscope. The colour is a bit tricky as these are photographed in a very orange light, and so an accurate appreciation of the hair colour on the abdomen is almost impossible.

Cheers, Stuart

[JRsbugs]

Hi Stuart,

Oh well, I don't think I can get that for you but thanks anyway! I did use a low flash compensation to show up the details as these black bees are difficult, even if there is sun. The colours on my camera, a Nikon D40X are quite accurate but there is some pollen on the legs and it looks like there is some on the tail too, but the general under colour does look yellowish (apart from some white). Then when I look again there could be two short yellow marks at the top edge such as B. vestalis has! I had plenty of those!

Cheers! (I have more )

Janet