Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee - Bombus rupestris

Habitat: Gardens, parks and woodland

Size: Queen 19-22mm males 15-17mm

Species Account: The cuckoo of Bombus lapidarius, this is one of the scarcer cuckoo bumblebees in the UK, and has a largely southern distribution. Queens are large with a red tail, and have distinctly darkened wings, as well as lacking pollen baskets. Males are smaller, with varying patterns of yellow bands on the abdomen and thorax, but always have a black face.

Queen

Male