Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee - Bombus sylvestris

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    Description

    Body lengths, female 15 mm, male 14 mm.

    Identification difficulty
    Habitat

    To be seen around the nests of Bombus pratorum.

    When to see it

    Spring and summer.

    Life History

    Cuckoo Bumblebee of Bombus pratorum. Males tend to patrol mating circuits within 1 m of the ground.

    UK Status

    Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

    VC55 Status

    Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

    • David Nicholls
      Ratby garden
      04 April 2020
    • David Nicholls
      Martinshaw Wood
      30 April 2016
    • Kate Nightingale
      Ulverscroft
      21 June 2016
    • AJ Cann
      Grantham Canal
      18 July 2015
    • Matthew Berriman
      Stocken
      14 April 2020
    • Maggie Frankum
      Knighton garden
      09 July 2004
      melanic male

    Leicestershire & Rutland Map

    MAP KEY:

    Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
    Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

    UK Map

    • David Nicholls
      Ratby garden
      04 April 2020
    • thebeesknees
      Leicester Garden
      05 June 2015
    • Maggie Frankum
      Knighton garden
      06 July 2004
      male
    • AJ Cann
      Grantham Canal
      18 July 2015
    • Steve Mathers
      Hole Hill NR. Markfield
      07 September 2016
    • Matthew Berriman
      Stocken
      14 April 2020
    • Saharima Roenisch
      Abbey Park
      14/07/2017
    • Matthew Berriman
      Stocken
      14 April 2020
    • Saharima Roenisch
      Evington Park
      15/07/2017