Bumble Bee ID

[Leafybug]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could possible tell me what kind of bee this is? Yesterday I found one just like it on my living room carpet and it appeared unable to fly. I put it outside but when I went down to see if it was OK about half an hour later it had barely moved.

I took it back inside and put it in a large tupperware tub with a sort of mesh lid on it. I took some mini daffodils and some of the small white flowers that came with a bouqet of roses my sister got in with it so it had something to eat. My plan was to let it out today when it got sunny because the nights are still quite cold. However when I woke up today the poor thing had died and I feel like an evil twit because I might have killed it by not letting it out sooner.

It did have a little mite on it but from what I've gathered by reading around they are generally harmless. It might be worthwhile noting that the tail was completely yellow and didn't fade like the one in the picture. I am in Glasgow btw in case that makes it any easier to ID. I have also added a picture of the tub it was kept in although the one I have is quite a bit deeper.

[aeshna5]

I would say a queen Bombus terrestris.

[Leafybug]

Does that mean I've destroyed a full colony? I feel terrible for this.

[Cowgirl]

Don't worry about it Leafybug, we all make mistakes & you tried with the flowers. Queens are coming out of hibernation so she may not have made it anyway. Next time you see a bee mix up some sugar & water for her to drink, it gives them a quick fix & they can be on their way or if you can't release her put her somewhere warm overnight..

Have a read of Paulines bumble bee story for insight into the garden bee. A lot of us follow it & are inspired by it.

Bumble Bee Story.

[nightshade]

If you find another, just offer it a drink of sugar water, try this interesting reading Bumble Bee Story.