Bumble Bee ID please

INHT · #1 (**permalink**) 18-08-2011, 05:41 PM

Hi,
I went on a bit of a bumble bee foray today and took loads of photos. Could anyone help a beginner with id please?
Thanks,
Becky
1) Bombus pascourum?

2)

3)

4) same as 3?

5)

6)

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 18-08-2011, 05:51 PM

1, 2, 5 Bombus pascuorum
6 B. hypnorum

catbee · #3 (**permalink**) 18-08-2011, 06:06 PM

I think 3 is B terrestris - there is a faint yellowish band at the top of the white on the tail. 4 is B lucorum group - or possibly terrestris.

Matt Smith · #4 (**permalink**) 18-08-2011, 08:38 PM

No 3 is a male Bombus lucorum. All the other ID's posted are correct.

INHT · #5 (**permalink**) 18-08-2011, 09:00 PM

Hi everyone and thanks for the ids.

Just one question - does this mean 3 is the same as 4, ie, Bombus lucorum? Thanks. I'm also wondering about the B.hypnorum as I checked NBN Gateway and there's no Scottish records. I should have said I live in the Inner Hebrides and that's where I saw all these bees. Thanks,
Becky

Matt Smith · #6 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INHT

Hi everyone and thanks for the ids.

Just one question - does this mean 3 is the same as 4, ie, Bombus lucorum? Thanks. I'm also wondering about the B.hypnorum as I checked NBN Gateway and there's no Scottish records. I should have said I live in the Inner Hebrides and that's where I saw all these bees. Thanks,
Becky

3 is a male, 4 is a worker, the 2 castes have different colour patterns.

Re the "Bombus hypnorum", I must admit I only looked at the thumbnail and the colour pattern. After reading your comments I took a proper look, No 6 is in fact the hoverly Eristalis intricarius.

"It was late and I was tired......

"

DALE MILES 01 · #7 (**permalink**) 19-08-2011, 11:24 PM

any idea what this is please

Matt Smith · #8 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DALE MILES 01

any idea what this is please

Bombus lucorum

INHT · #9 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 06:53 AM

Wow! That's amazing. I woulde never have guessed this was a hoverfly but have looked up other images of this species and it does look like it. Thanks Matt

catbee · #10 (**permalink**) 20-08-2011, 08:59 AM

Matt Would be keen to hear how you differentiate between lucorum and terrestris. I find it hard and have obviously got it wrong.
INHT you may find these photo galleries of help. They are from BBCT (bumblebee conservation trust). Have a look
BBCT gallery
If you look under common bees and then compare white-tailed and buff-tailed bees there are lots of good photos.