Bombus vestalis
Encyclopedia
Bombus vestalis is a species of cuckoo bumblebee.
Bombus vestalis usual host is Bombus terrestris
(The buff tail bumblebee). It is similar in appearance to another cuckoo bumblebee: Bombus bohemicus
but is distinguishable by either looking at the length of the antennal segments or dissection and comparison of the genitalia. In B. vestalis the fifth antennal segment will be the same length as the third and fourth together.
It is common throughout England and Wales but has only recently been sighted in Scotland. Using data from the nbn gateway it is apparent that B. vestalis is most prominent in South-East England.
Bombus vestalis usual host is Bombus terrestris
Bombus terrestris
Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed bumblebee or large earth bumblebee is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe. The queen is 2–2.7 cm long, while the workers are 1½–2 cm...
(The buff tail bumblebee). It is similar in appearance to another cuckoo bumblebee: Bombus bohemicus
Bombus bohemicus
Bombus bohemicus is a species of cuckoo bumblebee....
but is distinguishable by either looking at the length of the antennal segments or dissection and comparison of the genitalia. In B. vestalis the fifth antennal segment will be the same length as the third and fourth together.
It is common throughout England and Wales but has only recently been sighted in Scotland. Using data from the nbn gateway it is apparent that B. vestalis is most prominent in South-East England.