Bombus campestris (Field Cuckoo Bee) Female
Observation - Bombus campestris (Field Cuckoo Bee) Female - UK and Ireland. Description: Bombus campestris Field Cuckoo Bee Female Picture taken 23/6/2022 One of our smaller cuckoo bumbleb
Bombus campestris
Field Cuckoo Bee
Female
Picture taken 23/6/2022
One of our smaller cuckoo bumblebees, a parasite of B. pascuorum and possibly other carder bees such as B. humilis and B. ruderarius. It is a highly variable species which can produce challenges during field identification.
Females are relatively small, fluffy and with a sparse body pilosity, especially on the abdomen which is very shiny. The typical pattern comprises a broad buff collar, a conspicuous buff-haired scutellum and a tail that is buff-haired at the sides but remains black-haired and sparsely-haired in the middle. Darkened females are occasionally encountered, whilst in Scotland, females are occasionally found with the thorax almost entirely yellow (form swynnertoni).
Males are incredibly variable. At the palest extreme they are almost entirely buff-haired except for a black band between and below the wing bases and another black band around tergite 2. Intermediates can be black with a buff tail and fully black individuals are not rare. It is also possible to find males with white tails which resemble barbutellus males, though the white tail is generally more extensive in campestris (tergite 3 onwards).
Fortunately, campestris males have a conspicuous pair of hair tuft on sternite 6 which should be viewable on a hand-held specimen using a hand lens. The genitalia is also very distinct (checking this will necessitate the taking of a specimen).
This is a widespread and locally frequent species found in a variety of habitats, though declines have been noted in some areas.
Field Cuckoo Bee
Female
Picture taken 23/6/2022
One of our smaller cuckoo bumblebees, a parasite of B. pascuorum and possibly other carder bees such as B. humilis and B. ruderarius. It is a highly variable species which can produce challenges during field identification.
Females are relatively small, fluffy and with a sparse body pilosity, especially on the abdomen which is very shiny. The typical pattern comprises a broad buff collar, a conspicuous buff-haired scutellum and a tail that is buff-haired at the sides but remains black-haired and sparsely-haired in the middle. Darkened females are occasionally encountered, whilst in Scotland, females are occasionally found with the thorax almost entirely yellow (form swynnertoni).
Males are incredibly variable. At the palest extreme they are almost entirely buff-haired except for a black band between and below the wing bases and another black band around tergite 2. Intermediates can be black with a buff tail and fully black individuals are not rare. It is also possible to find males with white tails which resemble barbutellus males, though the white tail is generally more extensive in campestris (tergite 3 onwards).
Fortunately, campestris males have a conspicuous pair of hair tuft on sternite 6 which should be viewable on a hand-held specimen using a hand lens. The genitalia is also very distinct (checking this will necessitate the taking of a specimen).
This is a widespread and locally frequent species found in a variety of habitats, though declines have been noted in some areas.