Bombus ID

Ukwildlifeo · #1 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 09:40 PM

Ive been trying my hand at bee IDs and this one Im not sure about.

And just for fun here's a shrill carder bee - for no reason other than I finally found one!

GuyF · #2 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 10:18 PM

I may be wrong but to me it has the look of one of the rarer carder bees, B. humilis or B. muscorum, although if it is I don't think it can be identified to species level from a photo unfortunately.
Well done for finding B. sylvarum, it's a species I'd like to see one day.
Guy

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 10:34 PM

Thanks guy - I would be leaning towars humilis since Im pretty sure thats the 'other' bee other than B. sylvarum thats in the area, and part of the reason the sites an SSSI. They are both pretty common on the site, so if you want a tour or direction let me know

Deb London · #4 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 12:20 PM

Lovely! Well done.

What flower are they feeding on?

GuyF · #5 (**permalink**) 18-08-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Thanks guy - I would be leaning towars humilis since Im pretty sure thats the 'other' bee other than B. sylvarum thats in the area, and part of the reason the sites an SSSI. They are both pretty common on the site, so if you want a tour or direction let me know

Great, thanks! I really need to explore the South East at some point, when I do finally make it over there I'll be in touch!
Guy

eucera · #6 (**permalink**) 20-08-2010, 10:49 AM

I would be reluctant to determine these to species from the pics. The first 2 shots just could be B. humilis but I would think that generally there is far too much black hair on the thorax for it to be this species.

B. muscorum NEVER has black thoracic hairs, B. humilis usually (but not always) has just a few black hairs above the tegulae, and B. pascuorum can have lots of black hairs... or none!

There is obviously not enough of specimen 3 on show to confirm B. sylvarum, but you will know better having seen the specimen! I can say that B. sylvarum is found on both sides of the Thames estuary, and at this time of year shows a liking for Odontites vernus (the flower in your pic)

Stuart

Ukwildlifeo · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eucera

I would be reluctant to determine these to species from the pics. The first 2 shots just could be B. humilis but I would think that generally there is far too much black hair on the thorax for it to be this species.

B. muscorum NEVER has black thoracic hairs, B. humilis usually (but not always) has just a few black hairs above the tegulae, and B. pascuorum can have lots of black hairs... or none!

There is obviously not enough of specimen 3 on show to confirm B. sylvarum, but you will know better having seen the specimen! I can say that B. sylvarum is found on both sides of the Thames estuary, and at this time of year shows a liking for Odontites vernus (the flower in your pic)

Stuart

Thanks Eucera. I've been keeping my eye out on the red bartsia for a month or so and these shrill carders keep giving me he run around, flying off just as I focus! At least they are easier to ID!