Taxonomy

Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris | Hill Cuckoo Bee

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

ENDANGERED

Species Biology

Identification

  • Cuckoo bumblebee
  • Jet black with a red tail
  • Wings dark brown
  • Queens have a pale grey band at the top of the thorax
  • Take care not to confuse with the true bumblebees - B. lapidarius or B. ruderarius

Habitat

Not common. Known from a range of habitat types but most strongly associated with flower rich coastal or grassland sites.

Flight period

April-September

Nesting biology

Breeds in nests of B. lapidarius

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Taraxacum, Scabiosa, Knautia, Symphytum, Centaurea, Carduus, Trifolium, Crepis

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Palaearctic, Oriental regions

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.

Images