Red-tailed bumblebees

[JRsbugs]

I have uploaded some of my pics of queen Bombus lapidarius to show how similar the red-tailed cuckoo bee B. rupestris is.

I've tried to show just how difficult it can be because of the angle showing the hind legs, where on B. lapidarius you should see a broad, often triangular shaped, shiny corbiculum with pollen carrying hairs at the edges. Every time I saw a queen in late spring I thought I was going to get the cuckoo, the view from behind does not show the leg shape at all!

When the real cuckoo bee showed up, it was feeding on Rhododendron along with B. lapidarius and I could much more easily tell the difference, it was larger although both can vary in size, and the B. lapidarius queen was very large. The tail hairs seemed to be more separated in tufted rows (but that can be deceiving if looking at the real one from below), it's flight was slower but it was extremely difficult to get a pic of it as it entered and left the flowers!

The real queen was suspicious of me, and after a short time would always fly up to me and circle, then leave! She didn't take any notice of the cuckoo!

I have also uploaded a pic of a fresh B. lapidarius worker, looking the same as the queen but smaller, taken on 12th June my first sighting this year.

Janet

These are all B. lapidarius, pics with comments under.

[JRsbugs]

First pic is the same B. lapidarius showing the leg close up above.

Second pic a B. lapidarius (female) worker.

Two pics of B. rupestris in a large Rhododendron flower.

[ron1863]

Really useful information and an interesting read. Many thanks Janet

[JRsbugs]

Thanks ron, and you're welcome! I hope others will find it useful too as there is much confusion over these!

[James M]

I agree a great thread with some super shots too! Though I wish I had seen some Red tails this year to be able to separate them lol. Out of interest do you know a good book that's good for ID'ing bumbles? been looking around for one for ages.

[Kayleigh]

Thanks Janet I have book marked this and out in in my folder for future reference

[Paul mabbott]

Incidentally, I saw my first B. lapidarius of the year yesterday (quite a lot on ornamentals in the city centre) workers mostly but very late ....

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by James M

I agree a great thread with some super shots too! Though I wish I had seen some Red tail this year to be able to separate them lol. Out of interest do you know a good book or website that's good for ID'ing bumbles? been looking around for one for ages.

Thanks James. The NHM site is great, it will take a while for it all to sink in but if you read the comparisons under the charts it does give a few helpful tips. It's taking it in that can be difficult for a start, but stick at it and the mud will clear!

BUMBLE BEES

Look at the links at the bottom, you can get an alphabetical list for UK species. You can also do a search by selecting the colour bands which will give you the species which could fit.

[JRsbugs]

Glad to be of help Kayleigh!

Paul, that was very late! I am in the country so I guess I get to see them earlier, it was 11th March this year when I got my first pics of a queen feeding on crocus flowers. Grow more crocus! They always visit the Pieris and Victoria Plum tree too.

[James M]

Ah thanks Jane Going to try that out now, have a few photo's on the comp somewhere.