Wight Bumblees: A Cuckoo Bumblebee.

Thursday, 11 June 2015

A Cuckoo Bumblebee.

The Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee,Bombus vestalis is one of three species of cuckoo bumblebee recorded on the Isle of Wight.This one pictured was seen on a giant thistle on the Islands' downland. Identifying a cuckoo from other common bumblebees can be tricky, however this particular genus has no pollen basket and the outer surface of the hind tibia has hairs.It will also be seen that the wings are quite dark.Another feature of the Psythirus i.e.Cuckoo Bumblebees is the very quiet buzz compared with other bumblebees.

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In the UK there are twenty four species of bumblebee but only eight are commonly found in most places.Bumblebees occupy a variety of habitats and most of us should be able to attract them to our gardens if we have the right kinds of flowering plants.

On the Isle of Wight eleven species have been recorded including the eight ommon ones which are Tree,Garden,Heath,Red-tailed,White-tailed,Common Carder,Early,and Buff-tailed.There are also records of three much less encountered species,the Field Cuckoo,the Vestal Cuckoo, and the Hill Cuckoo.

These latter three are parasitic bumblebees that lay their eggs in other species nests and then kill the resident queen.The occupants of the nest then rear the cuckoos' offspring unaware that it is not their own species.

There are over two hundred species of solitary bee in the UK and most can be very difficult to tell apart.

They are so named because they do not live in colonies, unlike bumblebees and honeybees.Their nests range from hollow plant stems to holes in cliffs,walls,and in the ground.

All solitary bees are first class pollinators and should be made welcome in our gardens.

Title Photo

Thursday, 11 June 2015

A Cuckoo Bumblebee.

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