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Short-haired bumblebee

Bombus subterraneus

Basic Information

Common name: Short-haired bumblebee
Scientific name: Bombus subterraneus

Very short hair, 'bald patch' on thorax.

Probably extinct in UK.

Classification

Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusExtinct
Cuckoo StatusNon-cuckoo
Tail ColourWhite Tail

Keynotes

  • Reintroduction project in south of England in 2010's seems unsuccessful

  • Long face but rounder than Garden and Ruderal bumblebees

  • Often two abdomen bands but can be faint

  • Dark form has buff tail

Nest Information

  • Underground; liked old rodent nests

  • 1 cycle per year

  • Small - medium: around 75-150 workers

Distribution

  • Probably extinct in UK

  • In past: south-east England, rarely further north and Wales

  • Habitat: wetlands, flowery meadows and grasslands

Castes

QUEEN

May
No Diagram
No Photo

  1. Black

  2. Collar, rear

  3. Faint bands

  4. White, yellow trim

Tail:White Tail, White with yellow trim
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Abdomen:Black / White Tail, Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head

WORKER

May
No Diagram
No Photo

  1. Black

  2. Collar, rear

  3. Faint bands

  4. White, yellow trim

Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head

MALE

June
No Diagram
No Photo

  1. Yellow

  2. Collar, rear

  3. Yellow

  4. Yellow

Tail:Ginger/Yellow tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Abdomen:All Yellow/Ginger, Mid Band / Buff Tail
Head:Yellow Head

Flower Preferences

Long tongue. Likes red clover and honeysuckle.

  • Brambles

  • Comfrey

  • Honeysuckle

  • Red clover

  • Teasel

  • Trefoils

  • Vetches

  • Viper's bugloss

  • White dead-nettles

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Honeysuckle

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Red clover

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Viper's bugloss