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White-tailed bumblebee (agg)

Bombus lucorum (aggregate)

White-tailed bumblebee (agg)

Basic Information

Common name: White-tailed bumblebee (agg)
Scientific name: Bombus lucorum (aggregate)

Two bright-yellow bands, white tail.

Like flowery gardens and meadows.

Classification

Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusCommon
Cuckoo StatusNon-cuckoo
DistributionWidespread
Tail ColourWhite Tail

Keynotes

  • A group of 3 different bees: White-tailed, Northern and Cryptic

  • Males can have multiple pale-yellow abdomen bands

  • Has all black form, but always has white tail

  • Will nectar rob from deep flowers

Nest Information

  • Underground; love old rodent nests

  • 1 - 2 cycles per year

  • Quite long-lasting - about 6 months

  • Around 200 workers

Distribution

  • Widespread across UK

  • Habitat: most habitats but do like flowery gardens and meadows

Castes

QUEEN

February
QUEEN diagram
No Photo

  1. Black, fluffy

  2. Collar

  3. Mid-band

  4. White

Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow Collar
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head

WORKER

March
WORKER diagram
No Photo

  1. Black, fluffy

  2. Collar

  3. Mid-band

  4. White

Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow Collar
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head

MALE

May
MALE diagram
No Photo

  1. Yellow, fluffy

  2. Collar, rear

  3. Mid-band

  4. White

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

Flower Preferences

Short tongue. Like willows and currants.

  • Heather

  • Knapweed

  • Scabiouses

  • Teasel

  • Thistle

  • White clover

🌼

Brambles

🌼

Flowering currants

Willow

Willow

Salix