Bombus hypnorum News

eucera · #1 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 02:00 PM

It is now fully into the Bombus hypnorum season, with the first males at Cotoneaster today here at Reading University. I am keen to have any records of this bee from anywher in the UK. Please either pm me here or go to BWARS Home Page for details as to how to submit records

Extraordinary news regarding this expanding species has reached me today. There have been confirmed records of the bee being found in ICELAND. Assuming this is a natural colonisation, this is a remarkable finding. The details are contained in: Fréttir < Fréttasafn < Náttúrufræðistofnun Ísland
Beware though, the photo illustrating the article is of B. pascuorum. I have seen pics of the Icelandic B. hypnorum and they are undoubtedly correctly identified

Back · #2 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 02:44 PM

Just found it here. I've been trying to ID the bees in my garden, and this one is the one bee that is distinctive enough for me to ID with certainty. Will report. Ta. Bev

Back · #3 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 02:50 PM

What is the BRC number? 15021 maybe?

And this:Watsonian Vice County name
Watsonian vice county number?

Might also take me a while to get a grid reference.

eucera · #4 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 03:26 PM

Hi

Please don't worry about either the BRC number or the Watsonian V-C names etc. I can add those myself.

For general info though, the Watsonian Vice-counties were established in the 19th Century to adjust recording units to similar size... so larger counties (eg Devon and Wilts) became 2 vice-counties, and smaller ones remained as single entities (eg Dorset). For a map of these there is a link on the Recording page on the BWARS website (BWARS Home Page). The thing about vice counties (which makes the more attractive than the political counties, is that they NEVER change their boundaries, and are completely fixed.

ChrisJB · #5 (**permalink**) 27-05-2010, 03:40 PM

I've been looking out for these since I first heard about them a couple of years ago, but not seen one yet. They've reached Iceland? Staggering.

Regards, Chris

Back · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 02:16 PM

Just had a queen B. hypnorum fly in through an open window. How she managed to negotiate the nets I don't know. I feel honoured

. Safely evacuated now.

tufftie · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 02:21 PM

We have had one in our garden today. We live just outside Bewdley, Worcs.

Jason Green · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 02:41 PM

Afternoon all,

Why is it surprising one has been found in Iceland? I mean, when you think about it they do have nearly 800 stores nationwide so it wouldn't surprise me if one found it's way in. OK, OK - I'll bee off...

I have seen hypnorum two days running. Yesterday it was busy patrolling the Silver Birch sapling all morning. Today I had the pleasure of potting one to show my parents, who'd never seen one before - then duly released, a striking insect they are too.

Stuart, it's the same grid ref. as last year's Queen, on the 3 & 4/06/2010.

Take care,

Jason

aeshna5 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 05:39 PM

I've never seen so many as in the last couple of weeks or so with sightings across London.

cyberinsekt · #10 (**permalink**) 19-06-2010, 07:15 PM

Quite widespread in Somerset this year, particularly on the Levels. Records for single workers unless indicated otherwise:

13/5/10 Ham Wall RSPB ST449396
24/5/10 Ham Wall RSPB ST453395 (2 workers)
31/5/10 Shapwick Heath NNR ST416404
5/6/10 Ham Wall RSPB ST460403
12/6/10 Shapwick Heath NNR ST422410
12/6/10 Berrow ST299535
13/6/10 Goosard, Paulton ST 656575
19/6/10 Babcary ST564286 (1 male)