Red-tailed bumblebees

[JRsbugs]

Yesterday I was lucky to see a mating pair of Bombus lapidarius.

Soon after I saw an older male with faded hairs an they have been around for some time, this surely suggests successive nests through the year?

The fresh male which was mating I have seen only recently, while the first I saw of the year which I showed above was taken on the 20th June.

I also have fesh workers as well as older, worn workers.

[Africa]

Janet, remarkable series of photos!
yesterday, I also saw a pair of mating B. lapidarius, unfortunately, they were in the middle of a busy pavement and had recently been squished!
I wish I had been there a few minutes before to get them out of the way.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Africa

Janet, remarkable series of photos!
yesterday, I also saw a pair of mating B. lapidarius, unfortunately, they were in the middle of a busy pavement and had recently been squished!
I wish I had been there a few minutes before to get them out of the way.

How maddening that must have been to see!

It must be mating time then, but mine luckily were 'in the clover' although it wasn't very lush!