Rarer Yellow faced - Red Tailed Bumblebee?

tigger · #1 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 09:43 AM

I photographed what I think is a Red Tailed Bumblebee (worker?) B. lapidarius on Hebe this morning.

Looking at the NHM site, is says that:

Queens and workers with a pale band at the front of the thorax are rare and may occur particularly after inclement weather (Sladen, 1912).

This one seems to have just a pale band at front of thorax and face, or is this something different? I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks. Jane

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 11:29 AM

Bombus lapidarius yes, but a male as queens and workers have black facial hairs. I had a male yesterday too!

Janet

tigger · #3 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Thanks Janet

Only saw this one Red Tailed Bumble today... all the rest are are mainly terrestris

Jane

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 21-06-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger

Thanks Janet

Only saw this one Red Tailed Bumble today... all the rest are are mainly terrestris

Jane

I saw a female worker again last night and this morning feeding on geranium, but they don't seem to appear very often. Males I usually see later feeding mainly on white clover.