Sunday 19 August 2007

Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)

OTHER NAMES: Stone Bumble Bee
Latin Etymology: Bombus ("buzz") lapidarius ("of the crags")
Adult Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) at Geddington Chase, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 11-22mm  /  Wingspan: 18mm
NOT EVALUATED IN UK IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated

One of the most common species of Bumblebee in both Britain and Europe, it is fairly distinctive although there are a few similar species in its range.  They nest in rocks and walls, and their preferred flower plants are clover and deadnettle, but thistle, buddleia and lavender also seem to be common plants to find them on.

Related Species:
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus

Subspecies: Unknown

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM A common resident species which is seen in Summer
 - Seen in Geddington and numerous other locations

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,
IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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