Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
This is the commonest of three similar red-tailed species in Ireland , although it has declined in recent decades like many other bee species. Queens and females are black with striking crimson tails and black hairs lining the shiny pollen baskets. Males are similar but have red hairs on the hindleg and a yellow ‘collar’ and head. The two similar species B. ruderarius and B. rupestris are much rarer with the former possessing a duller tail and red-fringed pollen baskets whilst the latter has a more slender body shape, dark smokey wings and lacks pollen baskets altogether. Although it can be seen feeding on ornamental garden flowers, in my experience it seems to prefer native species.
It is widespread and fairly common in Ireland, but has declined and is class as Near Threatened.
It flies between March-October.
It can ber found in parks and gardens, low intensity farmland, flowery scrub, coastal grassland. In my experience it is most abundant in flowery meadows.
The preferred flowers in clude Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Vetches, Restharrow, Hawkweeds, Dandelion, Clovers, Knapweed, Thistles and others. (irishnaturalist.com/bees/red-tailed-bumblebee-bombus-lapi... Owen Beckett)
This beauty was photographed in my back garden in Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
This is the commonest of three similar red-tailed species in Ireland , although it has declined in recent decades like many other bee species. Queens and females are black with striking crimson tails and black hairs lining the shiny pollen baskets. Males are similar but have red hairs on the hindleg and a yellow ‘collar’ and head. The two similar species B. ruderarius and B. rupestris are much rarer with the former possessing a duller tail and red-fringed pollen baskets whilst the latter has a more slender body shape, dark smokey wings and lacks pollen baskets altogether. Although it can be seen feeding on ornamental garden flowers, in my experience it seems to prefer native species.
It is widespread and fairly common in Ireland, but has declined and is class as Near Threatened.
It flies between March-October.
It can ber found in parks and gardens, low intensity farmland, flowery scrub, coastal grassland. In my experience it is most abundant in flowery meadows.
The preferred flowers in clude Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Vetches, Restharrow, Hawkweeds, Dandelion, Clovers, Knapweed, Thistles and others. (irishnaturalist.com/bees/red-tailed-bumblebee-bombus-lapi... Owen Beckett)
This beauty was photographed in my back garden in Glasnevin, Co. Dublin, Ireland.