Blog Postings

The postings will be introductions to each of my life lists. The lists themselves will appear in the side margin. I shall do some postings about particular localities and there will also be postings to provide updates every time I add a new species.
Please note that I am not qualified in any aspect of natural history - there will therefore be occasional (or, apparently, in the case of the hoverflies, a lot of) errors.

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!)

5 comments:

  1. 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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  2. 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

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  3. 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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