Nature First Bug - Queen Bee

First Bug - Queen Bee · 03:54 PM

Sorry for the background. This one got trapped indoors !

C_Jones · 05-03-2016, 08:27 PM

Colorful subject.

**eaglem** · 05-03-2016, 11:27 PM

Would this be a Bumble Bee?

**Ian.morgan** · 05-04-2016, 12:06 AM

Indeed, a Bumble Bee. It was enormous so I googled it , and it looks like a 'Buff' Bumble Bee , and a Queen. (Unless anyone knows better

)

---------- Post added 05-04-16 at 12:07 AM ----------

I just wish I'd caught it on a pretty flower, rather than trapped inside a window frame. All Bee lovers will be pleased to hear I shepherded it outside safely.

**TER-OR** · 05-04-2016, 06:20 AM

Bombus terrestris, if I'm correct. You're in Europe, no doubt.
Bombus terrestris (buff-tailed bumblebee) and lucorum (white-tailed bumblebee)
I'm glad to hear she's on her way, hopefully she'll find some nice abandoned rodent nest and set up shop. At least you got a nice shot, those queens can be tough to photograph, they move so fast and constantly.

**Ian.morgan** · 05-04-2016, 02:27 PM

It was enormous, so possibly the white tailed bumblebee. I would say nearly 30mm long. I have some less sharp pics I'll post for identification.

**TER-OR** · 05-05-2016, 12:44 PM

Reading the information about terrestris, it seems to be the earliest to emerge. It certainly looks distinctive, so ID should be easy enough.
Queens usually are much bigger than the workers later in the year. Often so big their heads look disproportionately small.

Here in Northern Illinois right now the most likely Bumble Queens are B. bimaculatus. I've seen several looking for nest sites. The male Xylocopa carpenter bees are out, I expect to see the queens soon as the redbuds are blooming. We've had a late cool period, which has screwed up the "normal" timing a bit, if there is such a thing.

Hopefully you have a nice, varied, Bumblebee population this year!

Ian.morgan
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05-03-2016, 08:27 PM	#2
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Colorful subject.

05-03-2016, 11:27 PM	#3
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,144	Would this be a Bumble Bee?

05-04-2016, 12:06 AM	#4
Ian.morgan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 152 Original Poster	Indeed, a Bumble Bee. It was enormous so I googled it , and it looks like a 'Buff' Bumble Bee , and a Queen. (Unless anyone knows better ) ---------- Post added 05-04-16 at 12:07 AM ---------- I just wish I'd caught it on a pretty flower, rather than trapped inside a window frame. All Bee lovers will be pleased to hear I shepherded it outside safely.

05-04-2016, 06:20 AM	#5
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Bombus terrestris, if I'm correct. You're in Europe, no doubt. Bombus terrestris (buff-tailed bumblebee) and lucorum (white-tailed bumblebee) I'm glad to hear she's on her way, hopefully she'll find some nice abandoned rodent nest and set up shop. At least you got a nice shot, those queens can be tough to photograph, they move so fast and constantly.

05-04-2016, 02:27 PM	#6
Ian.morgan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 152 Original Poster	It was enormous, so possibly the white tailed bumblebee. I would say nearly 30mm long. I have some less sharp pics I'll post for identification.

05-05-2016, 12:44 PM	#7
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Reading the information about terrestris, it seems to be the earliest to emerge. It certainly looks distinctive, so ID should be easy enough. Queens usually are much bigger than the workers later in the year. Often so big their heads look disproportionately small. Here in Northern Illinois right now the most likely Bumble Queens are B. bimaculatus. I've seen several looking for nest sites. The male Xylocopa carpenter bees are out, I expect to see the queens soon as the redbuds are blooming. We've had a late cool period, which has screwed up the "normal" timing a bit, if there is such a thing. Hopefully you have a nice, varied, Bumblebee population this year!