Monday, 14 September 2009

The Great Yellow Bumble Bee - perhaps!




This bee appeared in the garden the other day. For a moment I thought it was a Carder Bee but then I realised it looked quite different. Much brighter and bigger. I think, repeat, think, it is Bombus distinguendus, the Great Yellow Bumble Bee. But I wouldn't bet on it. Comments welcome!

P.. S. (If anyone commenting is well qualified to say what it is can they please indicate their qualifications.  Not that I am 'knocking' those who have commented so far like Louise and Anon - all comments welcome!)
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5 comments:

  1. Unknown13 October 2009 at 18:41

    That is a rather large bee!

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  2. Anonymous17 June 2011 at 17:38

    Lovely bee, but one of the carders, probably a very fresh queen from your description. The the Great Yellow Bumblebee is distinguished by having a dark/black band of hair on the thorax, between the wing bases.
    Louise

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  3. Scriptor Senex18 June 2011 at 14:17

    Thanks Louise.

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  4. Petralized1 August 2011 at 20:53

    Dear CJE,
    I think it's a yellow bumbel bee, the Bombus distinguendus. I saw one today in my garden.

    great link for wild bees and bumble bees:

    http://www.wildebijen.nl/gele_hommel.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous29 February 2012 at 17:07

    I think it is most definately a carder most probably a queen Bombus pascuorum. B.distinguendus has a black band across its thorax.

    ReplyDelete

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