Bumble Bee ID required please

INHT · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 06:59 PM

I'm getting right into my bumble bees now and think this is Bombus pascuorum, but being new to the game, want to check. It was at Ardnave on the isle of Islay. Any thoughts please?

2dogs2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 07:03 PM

I think it is a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Macroglossum stellatarum.

INHT · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 07:29 PM

I'm pretty sure it was a bee, not a moth, but noticed its really long and curly proboscis. Looked up Humminmg Bird Hawk moth and I don't think it was that, although it was flying so fast it was difficult to tell!

2dogs2000 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 07:43 PM

They don't look very much like a moth and they fly very fast like a humming bird. They have often been mistaken for hummingbirds.

Dae · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 07:44 PM

It looks like a hummingbird hawkmoth to me too.

INHT · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 09:04 PM

What about Hemaris tityus, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth? This looks a closer match to me but I'm far from being an expert!

2dogs2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INHT

What about Hemaris tityus, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth? This looks a closer match to me but I'm far from being an expert!

This does seem to be a possibility. Going by your photograph it appears to have clear wings which would indicate (to me) that you are correct. I am also far from being an expert. In fact I wish one of the experts would come here and sort this out for you (and me)

eucera · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 09:42 AM

I would say H. tityus. There seems to be a bit of a bluish stripe down the centre ob]f the abdomen which I have noted on all the specimens I have seen