Bombus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793) commonly known “Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee”
Also known as “Hill Cuckoo Bee”
Family: Apidae
Length Female: 20 to 25mm (one of our largest bumblebees) male: 16mm
This is a widespread species and can be found over most of Europe (except Iceland), as far east into Turkey and the Balkans.
Being a parasitic bumblebee, no workers exist. The large Female will enter the nests of the Red-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus Lapidarius) and will either kill the queen, or subject her to be subjugated. The young Bombus rupestris will over-winter until the following spring, then they will leave the nest, after their host bumble bees.
Habitat: Where ever the Red-Tailed Bumblebee is present, flower rich meadows, gardens, along hedgerows and woodland edges.
Images below, shows the male visiting the wild flower “Ragwort”, both females and males will visit most available seasonal flowers, in spring and summer months.