Bee identification, Reading Berks

Steve Ayers · #1 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 12:36 PM

These are nesting in the roof of my one storey out-building.
What are they please, and should I worry about them buzzing about at head level. Are the likely to be aggressive ?

thanks

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 12:52 PM

You are lucky, what you have is Bombus hypnorum, a species which is relatively new to this country and apparently moving north at a fast rate! I haven't seen any yet!

They are harmless, enjoy them, they only make small nests and will die off towards autumn leaving only the queen.

There is a monitoring scheme on BWARS,

Bombus hypnorum_map

agrumpycow · #3 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 01:13 PM

Interesting thread to me. I came across this yesterday, in my garden also in Reading. Is it the same species as Steve's?

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 01:41 PM

It certainly looks the same! I can't see the white tail but I doubt it's anything else.

agrumpycow · #5 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

It certainly looks the same! I can't see the white tail but I doubt it's anything else.

Other (out of focus) photos I took show a white tail so thanks for the confirmation

(and sorry Steve for hijacking your thread

)

Steve Ayers · #6 (**permalink**) 29-05-2009, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the ID information RJsbugs.

With Claire's added information it looks as though Reading is a hotspot of Bombus hypnorum's progress thru' the UK.

eucera · #7 (**permalink**) 30-05-2009, 04:05 AM

Hi everyone... and greetings from NCBS Bangalore!

I am gathering records of B. hypnorum again and yes, Reading is doing well this year. Yorkshire and London seem to be doing best of all though (unless WAB'ers can show that their parts of the UK are doing even better). Please keep the data pouring in and I will update the map on the BWARS website (BWARS Home Page) just as soon as I get back home from India (on Sunday evening)