White-tailed Bumble Bee

Feeding at Echinacea pallida in my mother's garden in SE England, July 2003.

by philomel Sep 29, 2007 9:07 PM

Taken on 10th April 2008, Lincoln UK. Queens are the only ones to overwinter, emerging from mid March but with milder winters that can be earlier.

by wallaby1 Oct 1, 2008 10:47 PM

The yellow bands on queens and workers are on the second abdominal segment, males differ. Tail is all white, as opposed to B. terrrestis which is buff or with a brownish line above the white.

by wallaby1 Oct 1, 2008 10:52 PM

They have a short tongue, feeding on early flowers such as white dead-nettle and flowering currant.

by wallaby1 Oct 1, 2008 10:57 PM