Basic Information
Common name: Red-tailed cuckoo bee
Scientific name: Bombus rupestris
Big black bee, long body with orange/red tail, dark wings.
More common in south of England - moving northwards.
Classification
Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusLess Common
Cuckoo StatusCuckoo
DistributionWidespread
Tail ColourRed Tail
Keynotes
• Big bee with long body and dark wings.
• Thin hair and visible chitin.
• Females have round legs with short hairs.
• Males have pale-yellow bands and fluffy orange/red hairs on legs.
Nest Information
• Underground.
• Use red-tailed bumblebee nests.
Distribution
- Widespread in south of England.
- Rarer further north and west.
- Moving northwards.
Castes
MALE
July
No Photo
Very faint dark yellow collar
Very faint dark yellow rear band
Very faint dark abdominal bands
Orange-red tail
Tail:Red Tail
Thorax:All Black
Abdomen:Black / Red Tail
Head:Black Head
FEMALE
April
No Photo
All black
Orange-red tail
Dark wings
Round, hairy legs - no pollen basket
Tail:Red Tail
Thorax:All Black
Head:Black Head
Flower Preferences
Likes a thistle.
- Brambles
- Dandelions
- Oxeye daisies
- Thistles