Bombus rupestris

Bombus rupestris
Male
Female
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)[2]

Bombus rupestris is a species of cuckoo bumblebee present in most of Europe except Iceland and the Balkans. It is also found in Turkey.[3]

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).[4] The bumblebee is black, with the last abdominal segments coloured orange-red.[5]

Due to its parasitic lifestyle, no workers exist.

Behaviour

Bombus rupestris is found in flower-rich habitats, such as meadows and along hedgerows.[4] The bumblebee parasitizes the nests of the red-tailed bumblebee, B. lapidarius, whose queen is killed or subjugated.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Rasmont, P.; Roberts, S.; Cederberg, B.; Radchenko, V.; Michez, D. "Bombus rupestris". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bombus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)". Biolib.cz. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  3. ↑ Discover Life. "Discover Life map of Bombus rupestris". Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  4. 1 2 Jim Lindsey (retired professor of Biostatistics). "Bombus rupestris". Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  5. 1 2 Dr Brian Nelson, Ulster Museum. "Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris – a cuckoo bumblebee". National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 28 February 2009.


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