Bombus orange abdomen

[JRsbugs]

Hi,

This I took on 28th August, feeding on Hieracium or Hawkweed in my 'lawn'.

It looks bigger than any B. rupestris male I have seen.

I have had males in the past which have a little brown at the abdomen top edges, and on the thorax top and bottom. This however looks to have orange hairs over all the abdomen, even though it's a little worn you can see the hairs from the side angle.

I guess in the end it will be B. rupestris, if it is then a very unusual one.

I'm interested to know what anyone who has the experience thinks, i.e. Stuart or anyone else.

Janet

[Matt Smith]

Looks like a fairly standard, if well faded, B.rupestris male.

[eucera]

I'd agree with Matt. Had them looking like this in my Salisbury garden for the first time this year

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Matt and Stuart.

It's interesting to hear you had them looking like this as well Stuart. I've been seeing them for a few years now but never one like this. I did get a shot of one with other B. rupestris a few weeks ago which looked all black with nearly all red on the abdomen, it made me look with curiosity too!

Maybe as Matt thinks it's standard they all migrated from his place.

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Maybe as Matt thinks it's standard they all migrated from his place.

I'm out and about bumblebee surveying in Wales atm, the majority of the B.rupestris I have come across in the past couple of weeks have looked like this. I think the "extra" paleish brown hairs on the collar and abdomen are in fact black hairs that have faded due to the sun, this gives the impression that there was more "red" on the insect to start with.