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White-tailed Bumblebee (aggregate)

Bombus lucorum (aggregate)

Two pale-yellow bands, fully white tail, fluffy face.
Buff-tailed bumblebee

Queen

Fluffy, black face
Yellow collar
Yellow mid-band
White tail

Buff-tailed bumblebee
February

Worker

Fluffy, black face
Yellow collar
Yellow mid-band
White tail

Buff-tailed bumblebee
March

Male

Fluffy yellow face
Yellow collar
Yellow mid-band
White tail

Buff-tailed bumblebee
May
  • 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.
Bumblebee
White Tail
Common
Widespread
Not Applicable
Bumblebee
White Tail
Common
Widespread
Not Applicable

White-tailed Bumblebee (aggregate)

Bombus lucorum (aggregate)

Like flowery gardens and meadows.
Buff-tailed bumblebee

Like flowery gardens and meadows.

  • Brambles
  • Buddleia
  • Heather
  • Knapweed
  • Prunus
  • Ragwort
  • Teasel
  • Thistles
  • Viper’s bugloss
  • White clover
crocus Crocus
lavendar Lavendar
thistle Thistle

Nest

  • 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.