Mystry Bumblebee

[nightshade]

Whilst in Devon I saw a large Bumblebee all black except for white rings on the abdomen, just a fleeting glimpse then it disappeared down a hole in the top of an old cobb wall. I cannot find a picture anywhere, any ideas please.

[JRsbugs]

Impossible to say without a photo, sometimes there is a narrow band which is very dark on B. terrestris at the top of the thorax and can't easily be seen. They normally have one yellow band on the abdomen and a buff, whitish or orange tail but I had one once which had chocolate coloured bands. They are variable, and they also become faded.

Janet

[nightshade]

These were two or three very clear bands, I had not seen another bee like it

[JRsbugs]

Take a look at the NHM bumblee bee charts, you can also do a colour key search. I don't know of a bumblebee with two or three very clear pale bands on the abdomen, not off hand.

BUMBLE BEES

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Nightshade,

Are you certain it was a Bombus species? The hole-entering habitat could easily go for a Megachilid-type thing.

If you're sure, something like a faded B. pratorum or even pascuorum.

Take care,

Jason