ID a bee please

[Rambling Rob]

Hiya,

Is it possible to identify the bee in these photos?
Several were flying on the cliff path, Sandown, IoW, this morning, possibly from nesting sites over the (sandy) cliff edge.
Flying in an out of ivy / bramble, very occasionally landing, not interested in flowers apparently, no sign of pollen. The black and white abdominal markings were very apparent in flight. Quite a largish bee.
I wonder if it might be a cuckoo bee? Bombus vestalis?

Thanks for looking, Rob

[Jason Green]

I'd say you're quite correct there, Rob!

[Rambling Rob]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I'd say you're quite correct there, Rob!

Thanks Jason,

I don't often get that response - I'm making the most of it!

Rob

[eucera]

B. vestalis is the most likely (there has been a major emergence of males this last week). However, without looking closely at the relative sizes of antennal segmenst 3 & 5 one can't rule out the possibility that this is B. bohemicus (very rare in southern England)

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by eucera

B. vestalis is the most likely (there has been a major emergence of males this last week). However, without looking closely at the relative sizes of antennal segmenst 3 & 5 one can't rule out the possibility that this is B. bohemicus (very rare in southern England)

ah??? What exactly are the differences?

I came across some bees today that i figured were also B. vestalis but now might not be......

cheers, Ashe


PS. I also spotted Bombus hypnorum there. They were not at this site last year. TQ134521

[eucera]

bohemicus: Antennal segments 3 & 5 about equal in length
vestalis: Antennal segment 3 much shorter than 5

Thanks for the hypnorum record!