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Barbut's cuckoo bee

Bombus barbutellus

Basic Information

Common name: Barbut's cuckoo bee
Scientific name: Bombus barbutellus

Two yellow bands, grey white tail, dark wings.

Mostly found in central and south England.

Classification

Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusLess Common
Cuckoo StatusCuckoo
DistributionWidespread
Tail ColourWhite Tail

Keynotes

• Short hair and visible chitin • Males have loner hair than females •

Nest Information

• Uses nests of Garden and Ruderal bumblebees

Distribution

  • Less common than host bee

  • Widespread in south and central England

  • Scarce in north England

  • Rare in Wales and Scotland

Castes

MALE

Tbc
No Diagram
No Photo
Yellow collar Thinner yellow rear band Grey-white tail
Tail:Black Tail

FEMALE

April
No Diagram
No Photo
Yellow collar Thinner yellow rear band Grey-white tail Round hairy legs - no pollen basket

Flower Preferences

Likes native wildflowers

  • Wild flowers

  • Garden flowers