Pale & scruffy bombus lucorum or something else?

[Geoff F]

Just inland from the S. Devon coast path.

When I first saw this bee, I thought it looked like a well worn Bombus lucorum, although as I have been processing the photos I have had doubts.

But I can't really place it as anything else. The thin and pale abdominal band is broken in the middle but with pale wings and an apparent pollen basket I can't easily fit it in as a cuckoo; like B. barbutellus. Lots of B. terrestris in the area.

I really need somebody to have a look with a fresh pair of eyes as I am just getting myself confused.



So was my first idea correct or have I missed something obvious - which isn't unusual.

[Dogghound]

LOOKS like Bombus barbutellus to me.

[eucera]

I agree with Dogghound. This is a tired male of B. barbutellus

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the ID.

I was supicious of this specimen due to its relaxed feeding manner and not rushing around gathering pollen like the nearby B. terrestris bees.

But I couldn't quite decide if the scruffy hairs on the hind legs were old ragged pollen baskets or not.