Basic Information
Common name: Bilberry bumblebee
Scientific name: Bombus monticola
A very big red tail. No yellow abdomen band.
Found on upland moorlands, mountains and grasslands.
Classification
Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusLess Common
Cuckoo StatusNon-cuckoo
DistributionLocalised
Tail ColourRed Tail
Keynotes
• Very big red tail covers over half the abdomen
• Males are quite fluffy!
Nest Information
• Ground surface in tussocky grass
• Just below the ground surface
• 1 colony cycle per year
• Around 50-70 workers
Distribution
- Less common
- Localised
- Found in north and west of England and Scotland on high ground
Castes
QUEEN
April
No Photo
Yellow face
Yellow collar
Thin yellow rear band
Big red tail
Tail:Red Tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Head:Yellow Head
WORKER
May
No Photo
Yellow face
Yellow collar
Thin yellow rear band
Big red tail
Tail:Red Tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Head:Yellow Head
MALE
July
No Photo
Yellow face
Yellow collar
Thin yellow rear band
Big red tail
Tail:Red Tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Head:Yellow Head
Flower Preferences
Likes moorlands, heathlands and grasslands.
- Bilberry
- Bird's-foot trefoils
- Clovers
- Heathers
- Raspberries