insectsandflight.com
all pictures © robin williams
revised 19-2-2020
click on links below to make a fresh selection:
bumblebee gallery
problems in identification
(showing two species that may be confused - see tail colour)
(click on a thumbnail to open up the full-sized picture. Use the arrows on the keyboard to navigate between pictures. Each new picture will appear full-sized automatically. Use left and right arrows for moving along a category; up and down arrows to move between groups. Click on the cross beside the picture to reduce picture to a thumbnail)
Some of these pictures illustrate the problems of identification arising from fading and age. As new pictures become available, they may be added to help show some of these problems. However, it must be emphasised that because of these factors, bumblebee identification remains an uncertain science. Experience brings knowledge of particular individuals that are problems to identify in the field, others that become more familiar with time. I have tried to include different phases; bumblebees appear easy to know - large and colourful, tricky and confusing, but always fun to watch and get to know.
bumblebee Bombus hortorum w - long tongue
TRUE BUMBLEBEES
bumblebee, Bombus hortorum w
bumblebee, Bombus hortorum m
bumblebee, Bombus humilis m
bumblebee, Bombus humilis q
bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum m
bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum w
bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius w
bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius m
bumblebee, Bombus lucorum m
bumblebee, Bombus lucorum q
bumblebee, Bombus lucorum w
bumblebee, Bombus ruderarius w
bumblebee, Bombus ruderatus w
bumblebee, Bombus soroeensis w
bumblebee, Bombus sylvarum m
bumblebee, Bombus sylvarum w
bumblebee, Bombus terrestris mq
bumblebee, Bombus terrestris w
CUCKOO BUMBLEBEES
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus barbutellus f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus barbutellus m
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus bohemicus f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus bohemicus m
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus campestris f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus campestris m dark
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus campestris m light
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus rupestris f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus sylvestris f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus sylvestris m
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus vestalis f
cuckoo bumblebee, Bombus vestalis m
