id for a bee please

[Rambling Rob]

Hi,

These are not all the same bee but I think they are all the same species - is it Bombus rupestris?











On Knapweed, Sandown, IoW this afternoon.

Thanks, Rob

[Matt Smith]

Faded male Bombus lapidarius, B.rupestris lacks the yellow on the face and 99% of the time the strong yellow collar, and is much more red about the legs.

[Rambling Rob]

Thank you Matt, also for the detail. I guess there are a lot of faded bees around this time of year, Rob