ID for large bumblebee based creature

supergabs · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010, 06:31 PM

Any idea what make of bumblebee this is? Sorry, no photo but it was huge - about 1.5 to 2 inches long, elongated shape, proportionally mostly abdomen, which was deep orange, furry with no stripes.
Seen this morning along the Ridgeway near Wroughton in Wiltshire.
Would love to think it was rare but quite prepared for someone to tell me it's a common queen

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010, 07:24 PM

Hi supergabs, welcome to WAB.

Deep orange abdomen, also orange thorax hairs? I have seen Bombus pascuorum queens around 20mm or stretched out maybe a little more but not as big as you suggest.

It is a bumblebee you might be seeing now, there area couple of others B. humilis and B. muscorum which are similar but not as common.

Janet

supergabs · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 07:38 AM

Thanks Janet.
My OH confirms it was about 1.5 " (def not as long as 2"). It was the elongation of the abdomen which made it seem an odd shape for a bumble.
I shall look up the ones you suggest.