Bumblebee with red tail

[peterbolson]

I found a number of these in the remains of a nest on the edge of a field. It looked as if it had probably been destroyed by badgers.
From the red tail and red hairs around the pollen basket I wondered if it could be a female Bombus ruderarius, but I think I'm probably too far north for that.
Peter

[eucera]

The hairs look blackish to me. However, it is worth noting that reddish hairs on the pollen basket do not necessarily rule out B. lapidarius. In faded specimens, the hairs of B. lapidarius can become a brownish red. The red colour never extends to the base of the hairs though.

The abdominal shape of this specimen points to B. lapidarius.

B. ruderarius does occur on the Inner isles of Coll & Tiree!

[peterbolson]

Thanks Stuart.