Taxonomy
Bombus (Psithyrus) sylvestris | Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Least concern
Species Biology
Identification
- Cuckoo bumblebee
- Females have a white tail and one yellow/orange band at the top of the thorax
- In females the end of abdomen and the sting are strongly curled under the body
- Males have a white tail with a ginger/red tip. They have one yellow band at the top of the thorax and a smaller yellow band at the base of the thorax
- Can be confused with B. bohemicus, B. barbutellus and B. vestalis
Habitat
Widespread. Found in a range of habitats but most commonly recorded from heath, bog and woodland sites.
Flight period
April-August
Nesting biology
Breeds in nests of B. pratorum and probably B. jonellus
Flowers visited
Polylectic - Taraxacum, Scabiosa, Knautia, Centaurea, Carduus, Ribes, Castanea, Rubus
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Palaearctic region, Oriental border
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.