Taxonomy
Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius | Large Red Tailed Bumble Bee
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Near threatened
Species Biology
Identification
- Females are jet black with a red tail. They have black hairs on their hind leg
- Females could be confused with females of Bombus ruderarius, but in this species the hairs on the hind leg are red
- B. lapidarius males are also jet black with a red tail, but they have a yellow band at the top of the thorax and a yellow face. Note they have red hairs on their hind leg.
Habitat
Found in a wide range of habitats, including parks and gardens. Has declined from the agricultural landscape.
Flight period
February-October
Nesting biology
Nests underground in cavities
Flowers visited
Polylectic - Trifolium, Ballota, Lamium, Cirsium, Campanula, Salvia, Centaurea, Vicia, Carduus, Laburnum, Castanea, Acer, Prunus
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Palaearctic region
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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References
Publications
Conservation status: FitzPatrick Ú., Murray T.E., Byrne A., Paxton
R.J., Brown M.J.F. (2006) Regional Red List of Irish Bees, Publ. Rep. to
National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and Environment and Heritage
Service (N. Ireland). http://www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists
Flowers visited & World distribution: Westrich, P. (1989) Die Wildbienen
Baden-Württembergs. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.