Just seen my first Red Tailed Bumble Bee

[Rashmika]

Hello. AS per the title, I've just seen my first Red Tailed Bumble Bee, and I think it was a Queen due to its massive size!

it sat in my conservatory for about ten minutes fasitiously cleaning itself. I did note a small insect crawling away from the Bee and possibly more on the Bee. Did she have a mite problem? I thought this was mainly the preserve of Honey Bees.

Thanks!

[Jason Green]

Evening Rash,

Mites are common enough on Bombus; they should be harmless in small number. It's when high numbers slowly board that wings, spiracles and sexual organs become obstructed that problems may occur. Or, sheer weight. Some mites may over-winter along with the bee.

Look out for Stylops too, an entoparasitic invertebrate that lives within the abdomen. This may be apparent by a protruding tab-like thing exposed between the tergites, or a strange fly-like adult with notably-big and sturdy wings that may follow the bee and be in close attendance of it's rear end.

Take care,

Jason

[eucera]

.... although no British Stylops is known to attack bumblebees.....

[Paul mabbott]

I've seen two or three (mite-free) over the past week locally and today one in Doncaster - very dozy despite the sunshine. Locally this used to be one of the more common species; over last couple of years have seen few or less.