is this a Bombus ruderatus

[Thehedgehog]

is this a Bombus ruderatus

[JRsbugs]

Another black bumble! I've seen two, one yesterday and another today which was bigger! They have some greyish streaks across the lower part of the abdomen which I think I can see on yours. The one I got yesterday I think is a male, from the NHM charts there's three black species which it could be.. hortorum, campestris or ruderatus.

BUMBLE BEES

I don't think the legs on mine look like a cuckoo, and the face really doesn't remind me of hortorum but ruderatus is supposed to have a long face too.

I feel sure I have a normal B. ruderatus queen, it's much bigger than hortorum at around 25mm.

I wonder if the hot spring has anything to do with this? I was going to post mine, might do it when I get time!

Janet

[eucera]

you can add B. sylvestris and B. hortorum to the list of species with black forms as well. That being said, the one in these pics looks pretty like ruderatus, although it isn't possible to be sure