Taxonomy

Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus | Gipsy Cuckoo Bee

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Near Threatened

Species Biology

Identification

  • Cuckoo bumblebee
  • White tail with yellow flashes where it meets the black hairs of the abdomen
  • Queens have a yellow band at the top of the thorax and a very narrow pale band at the base of the thorax. This narrow lower band can sometimes be absent
  • Males have two clear yellow bands on the thorax and a yellow band at the top of the abdomen
  • Can be confused with B. barbutellus, B. sylvestris, but particularly B. vestalis

Habitat

Widespread and found in a range of habitat types

Flight period

March-October

Nesting biology

Breeds in nests of Bombus lucorum

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Taraxacum, Scabiosa, Knautia, Vicia, Centaurea, Carduus, Cirsium

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Palaearctic, Japanese, Oriental Regions, Arctic 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.

Images