Bumblebees! Apparently there are 6 easily recognised and easy to identify species in the UK, at least thats what I have read repeatedly. But if only it was that easy because it really isn't. The species with white tails are almost impossible to sperate with certainty, they vary in size between individuals and then as they age yellows turn to white, bleached by the sun. I haven't given up but I am frustrated to say the least. The Red-tailed bee can also vary dramatically, males have yellow faces and thorax, the first confusion and then the red can turn bright yellow when bleached by the sun, very confusing. So, imagine my delight when I saw a Bumblebee yesterday that I could identify immediately as a species that I hadn't seen before. But murphy's law meant that I hadnt got my camera with me. So I went back hoping to find it again and it was easier than I thought. In the end I found 2. It was a Wood Bumblebee Bombous hypnorum. This is a really distinctive bumblebee as you can see. It has a white tail but unique amongst the other white tailed species was the distinctive rufous thorax.
I mentioned how individuals vary and you can see that here, this is a queen or worker. I have included some pictures below of bees that I am yet to identify with certainty.
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