Bombus rupestris

Bombus rupestris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: (Psithyrus)
Species: B. rupestris
Binomial name
Bombus rupestris
(Fabricius, 1793)
Synonyms
  • Apathus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)
  • Apis albinella Kirby, 1802
  • Apis arenaris Panzer, 1801
  • Apis frutetorum Panzer, 1801
  • Apis rupestris Fabricius, 1793
  • Bombus obscurus Seidl, 1838
  • Bombus rupestris orientanus Reinig, 1931
  • Bombus rupestris siculus Reinig, 1931
  • Psithyrus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)[1]

Bombus rupestris is a species of cuckoo bumblebee present in most of Europe except Iceland and the Balkans. It is also found in Turkey.[2]

Description

The female is much larger than the male; she has a length of 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in), while the drone usually is not more than 16 mm (0.63 in).[3] The bumblebee is black, with the last abdominal segments coloured orange-red.[4]

Due to its parasitic lifestyle, no workers exist.

Behaviour

Bombus rupestris is found in flower-rich habitats, such as meadows and along hedgerows.[3] The bumblebee parasitizes the nests of the red-tailed bumblebee, B. lapidarius, whose queen is killed or subjugated.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Bombus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)". Biolib.cz. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Discover Life. "Discover Life map of Bombus rupestris". Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jim Lindsey (retired professor of Biostatistics). "Bombus rupestris". Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dr Brian Nelson, Ulster Museum. "Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris – a cuckoo bumblebee". National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 28 February 2009.