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.