Bombus rupestris explained

Bombus rupestris is a species of cuckoo bumblebee present in most of Europe except Iceland. In the Balkans it is found in montane and alpine habitats northwards from Central Greece.[1] [2] It is also found in Turkey.[3]

Description

The female is much larger than the male; she has a length of 20mm25mm, while the drone usually is not more than 16mm.[4] The bumblebee is black, with the last abdominal segments coloured orange-red.[5]

Due to its parasitic lifestyle, no workers exist.

Behaviour

Bombus rupestris is found in flower-rich habitats, such as meadows and along hedgerows.[4] The bumblebee parasitizes the nests of the red-tailed bumblebee, B. lapidarius, whose queen is killed or subjugated.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Anagnostopoulos. Ioannis Th.. 2009. New records of bumble bees from the Northwestern mountainous region of Greece (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Entomofauna. 30. 445–449.
  2. Web site: Discover Life. Discover Life map of Bombus rupestris. 28 February 2020.
  3. Web site: Discover Life. Discover Life map of Bombus rupestris. 28 February 2020.
  4. Web site: Bombus rupestris . 28 February 2009 . Jim Lindsey (retired professor of Biostatistics) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080313225303/http://popgen.unimaas.nl/~jlindsey/commanster/Insects/Bees/SuBees/Bombus.rupestris.html . March 13, 2008 .
  5. Web site: Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris – a cuckoo bumblebee. 28 February 2009. Dr Brian Nelson, Ulster Museum. National Museums Northern Ireland.

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