Basic Information
Common name: White-tailed Bumblebee (aggregate)
Scientific name: Bombus lucorum (aggregate)
Two pale-yellow bands, fully white tail, fluffy face.
Like flowery gardens and meadows.
Classification
Bee TypeBumblebee
StatusCommon
Cuckoo StatusNon-cuckoo
DistributionWidespread
Tail ColourWhite Tail
Keynotes
Actually 3 different bees: White-tailed, Northern, Cryptic.
Will nectar rob deep flowers.
Males have fluffy yellow faces; and sometimes multiple pale-yellow abdominal bands.
Nest Information
Underground; they like old rodent nests.
Usually 1 nest cycle per year - sometimes 2 if a warm year.
Lasts around 6 months.
Approximately 200 workers.
Distribution
- Common.
- Widespread across UK.
- Found in most habitats.
Castes
QUEEN
February
No Photo
Fluffy, black face Yellow collar Yellow mid-band White tail
Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow Collar
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head
WORKER
March
No Photo
Fluffy, black face
Yellow collar
Yellow mid-band
White tail
Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow Collar
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Black Head
MALE
May
No Photo
Fluffy yellow face
Yellow collar
Yellow mid-band
White tail
Tail:White Tail
Thorax:Yellow collar and rear band
Abdomen:Mid Band / White Tail
Head:Yellow Head
Flower Preferences
Like flowery gardens and meadows.
- Brambles
- Buddleia
- Heather
- Knapweed
- Prunus
- Ragwort
- Teasel
- Thistles
- Viper's bugloss
- White clover
Crocus
Crocus
Lavender
Lavandula
Thistle
Cirsium