Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
What you will learn here
- Information about individual bumblebee species
- You will receive a summary of information for the general public, schools and breeders
Last updated: 3/1/2022
Description
Czech: Wood bumblebee
Latin: Bombus lucorum
English: White-tailed bumblebee
German: Helle Erdhummel
Polish: Trzmiel gajowy
Image
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w miście: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Color scheme
Basic scheme (queen and worker):
- Basic color
– black - Head
– black
Chest - – one wider band on the prothorax
– color light yellow to lemon, never brownish yellow/ochre
– the band extends to the sides of the chest, but not under and behind the wings – the band is always present (the species does not have dark varieties)
– coat short, but not as if clipped - Belly
– 1st tergide black
– yellow band on 2nd tergide, usually the same shade as prothorax – lemon yellow
(color changes with time, see below)
– band is similarly thick as on prothorax
– posterior margin of 3rd tergite usually yellowish
– 4th – 6th tergides white / grayish-white
– rest of belly black
It is quite difficult to reliably distinguish between workers and queens based on their coloration.
The yellow stripes can sometimes be lighter and more pronounced.
The size and possibly the behavior in the nest (if the mother is present) are decisive.
The difference between the shades of yellow stripes disappears with time, but in the mother and workers, a gradual loss of color of the stripe on the back can be observed, up to gray-yellow/gray.
The stripe behind the head loses color less, retaining a yellow shade.
Loss of color is related to age
Basic scheme (male):
– color scheme similar to mother and worker
– yellow and white hairs of males often cover black parts of the body, males in good condition appear practically yellow and light gold
- Head
– mask (facial part) and upper side of head densely covered with light yellow hair
– more pronounced hairiness
– brushes on the sides of the mandibles for spreading marks – color usually red/reddish-brown - Chest
– lighter yellow stripe on prothorax (thicker than in mother and worker)
– black band obscured by scattered whitish yellow hairs
– back of chest may be yellow
– color light yellow to lemon, turning gray over time
Belly
– 1st tergid black (not always visible)
– lighter yellow stripe on 2nd and 3rd tergid (appears thicker than in mother and worker)
– 4th – 6th tergids white / grayish-white
– black hairs may have white/gray tips
– stripes consist of dense hairs
– hairs bristlier than in mother and worker
In males, a gradual loss of color can be observed until it becomes grayish yellow/gray.
The difference in color loss between the stripes is not as noticeable as in the mother worker.
The color loss is related to age.
In the case of occurrence in Northern Europe, darker forms of males have been described.
Males are a good indicator of the presence of this species in case you cannot reliably detect this species from the mothers and workers.
Size
- Type
– large - Size:
queen 18 – 21 mm
worker 9 – 11 mm
male 14 – 16 mm
Source Hymenoptera of the Czech Republic I., Academia 2017
Head
Size:
– short (the shortest of all bumblebee species in the Czech Republic)
Shape:
– cheeks shorter than wide
– mother and worker – when viewed from the front, a distinct wedge shape
– male – round facial part, brushes on the side of the mandibles highlight the lower part of the facial part
– simple eyes lie on the (supraorbital) line, distance between eyes is half the diameter of the eyes in the middle – see picture (similar to the ground bumblebee)
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen – head
Source: J. May Bumblebees in the Czech Republic
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – queen – head
Source: J. May Bumblebees in Czechoslovakia
Here you can clearly see the shape of the head – short, stocky. Three simple eyes (ocelli) on the top of the head, the location of the antennae and the tongue protruding between the mandibles.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Antennae
- The antennal segments are parallel
- Third antennal segment only slightly longer than fifth
- As with other bumblebee species, the male has long curved antennae
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker – antennae
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/ 2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male – antennae
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7 2021
For those interested in details, we are adding more.
The antennal segments of the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum) are longer, for example compared to the antennae of the confused bumblebee (B. confusus).
You can't confuse these species, but comparing the antennae is interesting. It's a detail that you probably won't notice in a live specimen, but you might in a good, enlarged photograph.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – antenna
Source: Fauna Helvetica Apidae 1
Confused bumblebee (Bombus confusus) – antenna
Source: Fauna Helvetica Apidae 1
Language
- short
- Mother's tongue length: 9 – 10 mm
- Worker's tongue length: 8 – 9 mm
- male tongue length: 7 – 8 mm
- This species, thanks to its short tongue, often bites into the calyxes of plants, where it cannot reach with its tongue
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker – tongue
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker – tongue
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Bumblebees have learned to get around the handicap of a short tongue by biting through the calyx of a flower in such a way that their short tongue can reach in.
This technique is used by both the ground bumblebee (B. terrestris) and the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum) – both species have very short tongues.
The plant provides them with nectar, but it is not pollinated - the bumblebee's body does not come into contact with the pistils. Note that especially in plants that have flowers with deep calyxes, the pistils are in a refined place. An example of this is the foxglove (Digitalis). The bumblebee dives into it and immediately has a pollen mark on its back. But bumblebees are clearly more refined than plants.
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – worker
bites the calyx of a flower
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Body
- The mother
– the body is more stocky
– does not have such a pronounced pointed end of the butt, as for example the garden bumblebee (B. hortorum) or the hypnotic bumblebee (B. hypnorum) - Male
– body more stocky than the mother
– ovoid
– end of the rump more rounded or blunt
Wings
Lights
Wingspan up to 37 mm
Feet
- Hind pair of legs
– in females and workers with pollen cups
– hairs on the back edge of the hind metatarsals mostly shorter than half the greatest width of the metatarsal
– middle metatarsal of the hind pair of legs without spine (rounded)
– in males the back part of the tibia on the outer surface is deepened and glabrous
Detail of the middle metatarsus of the hind pair of legs – with and without a spine
Source: Fauna Helvetica Apidae 1
The following photo shows a pollen basket on the hind leg of a female bumblebee.
The tarsus without a spine.
The next photo shows the pollen baskets filled with pollen.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen – leg (legg)
Photo: S. Falk
Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Specific distinguishing features
<bude doplněno>
Photo
Mother
You will notice a thick yellow stripe behind the head and a shade of yellow. You will not see such yellow on the chest of the ground bumblebee (B. terrestris) - its stripe is darker, more of an ochre shade, or barely noticeable.
Also, notice the practically imperceptible difference in the shade of the two strips.
Dark forms of this species are not found in the Czech Republic.
These characteristics are a good basic guide for identifying the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum).
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/6/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/6/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
Worker
It is difficult to distinguish between the mother and the worker of this species. The difference in size between the worker and the mother is obvious, the body shape and colors are the same.
In the case of a worker, you may also be confused by the gradually disappearing difference in shades of yellow stripes and the gradual fading of the stripe on the back – from light yellow to dirty yellow.
Like the mother, the worker has no yellow elements on its head.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) - worker
Photo: O. Hercog 24/7/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) - worker
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/2021
In the next photo you can see the color change of the worker. The stripe on the back has practically lost its yellow color.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/2021
Sometimes you can be confused by the great "wear and tear" of individuals, especially mothers and workers. Sometimes a worker has a practically white second band and a bald back, including the band on it. This is due to her age and movement in the nest, where she rubs her hairs.
The next photo shows such a worker
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) - worker
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/2021
.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) - worker
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/2021
Male
Males can be considered a “different species.” When in good condition, they are like shining golden balls.
Their head is covered in yellow hair, and the hair on their chest and rump sometimes almost covers the black color of their body.
They are also recognizable by their antennae, which, like most species, are longer and, in normal position, curved (without kinking).
The mandible brushes are not very visible unless you look at their face. However, they have a red/reddish-brown hue and if you know about them, you will notice them.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Detail of the facial part of the head of a male wood bumblebee (B. lucorum). The mandibles are of a different color and widen the head at the bottom.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male (male) head
Photo: O. Hercog 23 07 2021
A detail you won't see in nature – the genitals of a male wood bumblebee (B. lucorum).
The genitalia of bumblebees are very specific, but generally typical for each species. In males, it is a key clue to species identification, alongside DNA analysis.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male – genitals (genitalus)
Photo: Amiens Fauna and flora
Video catalog
Mother
Mother of the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum). This mother would leave the nest and help with food gathering even when workers were present in the nest.
Apart from size, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a mother from a worker.
Worker
A worker from a later generation – it is identified by its larger size, as it had enough food during its development.
This worker has practically the same shade of yellow on the chest stripe on the rump. The chest stripe is wide.
This worker already has a distinctly different shade of yellow in the chest stripe on the back – a sign that she is getting older. You won't notice the difference in a young worker.
This worker bee shows a gradual loss of color in the stripe on its back.
The loss of color of the strip on the back is noticeable on this worker.
The video was filmed at a higher position, so there was a noticeable time shift in the lowlands and relatively large movement of workers in September.
Male
Here is a male wood bumblebee in full force and armor – beautiful yellow colors. You can also see its bright yellow crest on its head and face.
Typically colored male. His stripes become less bright as he ages (video filmed in August)
Its antennae are also clearly visible - longer and differently positioned. Its head is also visible during movement - rounder and shorter.
Similar species
- Ground bumblebee (B. terrestris)
- Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
- Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum)
- Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus)
These species are distantly similar, as their light forms have two yellow stripes on the chest. However, since beginners confuse them, we include them here as well.
- Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
- Hume bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus)
How to distinguish it from similar species
Although the wood bumblebee is abundant in the Czech Republic, it is often confused with other species.
We will try to show you visible signs that can be a guide for its identification. However, reliable differentiation of these species is only possible under a microscope based on signs that are not visible to the eye. However, for a completely reliable differentiation, it is necessary to kill and dissect the individual. For example, determining the species of males is only possible based on the details of their genital organs. However, this does not coincide with our interests in protecting bumblebees. Therefore, in our catalogue we make do with signs that you can see with the eye and with limited accuracy.
The following photo compares species that can be easily confused. Although these are photos of mothers taken in Ireland (the species here have slight color differences from the same species in the Czech Republic), they are useful for comparing typical characteristics.
As you can see, the distinction is not always easy.
After this species of bumblebee, the problem of identifying similar species was named the "Lucorum Complex"
In the following text, we will describe the signs and provide you with a guide to distinguishing them, without trying to overcome this complex - it is impossible.
Mothers of similar species – B.
terrestris-B. lucorum – B. magnus -B. crytptarum
Photo: Bertsch 2004
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- Unlike the wood bumblebee:
– larger size
– slightly longer head
– the mother and workers have a more pronounced wedge-shaped head
– the head is always black, even in males
– the stripes are in different shades (workers and mothers)
– the stripe behind the head is weaker and a darker shade of yellow (ochre)
– the stripe behind the head can be only slightly indicated, or practically not visible (dark form)
Note: the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum) does not have a dark form
– the mother and workers do not lose their colors over time
– the males have very similar coloration to the mother and workers, although the yellow stripes are brighter and thicker – both are practically the same shade
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
In queens and workers, the shade of the yellow stripes is a good guide. In the wood bumblebee, the first and second stripes will usually be the same.
In the ground bumblebee, the stripe on the prothorax behind the head is darker than the stripe on the 2nd tergide.
This is clearly visible in these photos.
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 27/6/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
Unlike the ground bumblebee, the yellow stripes of the wood bumblebee can be observed fading to a dirty white color.
This effect is quite common in wood bumblebees and can help or complicate species identification - if you are not aware of it.
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – worker – Photo: O. Hercog 03 07 2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker
Photo: O. Hercog 05 09 2021
.
Male wood bumblebees are easy to recognize. They are very typical – the male is beautifully yellow and cannot be confused with the male ground bumblebee.
The male bumblebee is more similar to the large worker, but its yellow stripes are wider and brighter. Here too, however, the difference in shades is visible, although not as striking as in the mother and worker. It will help you to look at the hind legs without pollen cups and at the antennae.
The difference between the species is significant in males – the male ground bumblebee (B. terrestris) lacks yellow elements on the head and face.
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 24/7/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Ground and Wood Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris and lucorum)
B. terrestris on the
left, male
Photo: S. Falk
Ground bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – male
Photo: Animal photos
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male (male) head
Photo: O. Hercog 23 07 2021
Cryptic bumblebee ( Bombus cryptarum
- You can read more about the double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) HERE<PŘIPRAVUME>
The following text provides only information for comparison
- Notes on identification
– the double bumblebee is an infrequent species and the chance of encountering it is minimal, information about its occurrence is sparse – you have a small chance of encountering it
– it can be caught at higher altitudes
– it did not have a Czech species name for a long time. Doc Ptáček uses the Czech name “cmelák norový” in the source article of the magazine Včelařství
- Unlike the wood bumblebee:
– you have a small chance of meeting it
– they are difficult to distinguish from the wood bumblebee and it is not possible to reliably do so without DNA analysis
– if it is noticeable, then it has an interruption in the shape of the letter S on the first stripe
– males are very similar, without dissection and examination of e.g. the genitals under a microscope, they are difficult to distinguish from other similar species
– the size is smaller
Note: The discussion about whether this is a separate species or just a form of B. lucorum has not yet been concluded – see Complex lucorum
Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum)
Source: Blooms for Bees
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) – queen
Photo: M. Tarm
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
Interesting detail of the breast band of a mother bumblebee
Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) – queen with
yellow band on prothorax interrupted
Photo: Donegal Wildlife
In our catalog, we will use the band on the bumblebee's back, which gradually fades and loses its shade/yellow color.
Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) – worker
Photo: S. Falk 2019
Wood bumblebee – Bombus lucorum – worker
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Double-headed bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) – male
Photo: S. Falk 2019
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus)
- You can read more about the greater bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum) HERE<PŘIPRAVUME>
The following text provides only information for comparison
Unlike the wood bumblebee:
– you have a very small chance of meeting it
– they are difficult to distinguish from the wood bumblebee and it is not possible to reliably do so without DNA analysis
– the yellow band of B. magnus is extended to under the wings, which is a relatively typical and easily observable feature
– the males are very similar, without dissection and examination of e.g. the genitals under a microscope, they are difficult to distinguish from other similar species
Note: The discussion about whether this is a separate species or just a form of B. lucorum has not yet been concluded – see Complex lucorum
Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus) – queen – detail of the collar
Photo
: S. Falk
Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus) – mother (queen)
Photo: S. Falk
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) mother – queen – Photo Hana Kříženecká (2)
Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus) – worker
Photo: S. Falk
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Greater bumblebee (Bombus magnus) – male
Photo: S. Falk
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
Common bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus)
- You can read about the garden bumblebee (B. hortorum) HERE < UNDER CONSTRUCTION>
- You can read about the humen bumblebee (B. ruderatus) HERE < UNDER CONSTRUCTION>
Both species are very similar and it is not reliable to distinguish them reliably by color, therefore we will not discuss their species differences in this section and will only compare them with the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum).
- Unlike the wood bumblebee:
– head significantly long and curved, resembling a horse's head in shape
– bristlier and longer hairs
– two stripes on the chest
– first yellow stripe on the 1st tergide of the abdomen
– all stripes of the same light yellow color and the same shade
– some varieties practically black, yellow elements only faintly indicated, or practically unrecognizable
– pointed abdomen
– feeding of larvae through pockets (pocket makers)
– often establish a second generation
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w miście: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus)
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – head of a worker
Photo: O. Hercog 29/8/2021
The two species can be distinguished very well in the photographs.
Note the shape and position of the head – the garden bumblebee (B. hortorum) has a significantly long head and is often “push forward”.
The forest bumblebee (B. lucorum), as the bumblebee with the shortest head among the bumblebee species in the Czech Republic, generally “hides” its head.
Also note that the garden bumblebee (B. hortorum) has two distinct stripes on its chest and its male does not have as pronounced yellow coloring as the male grove bumblebee (B. lucorum).
You really can't confuse these two species. It's similar to the common bumblebee (B. ruderatus), which is very similar to the garden bumblebee.
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 27/6/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
Garden bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) – worker
Photo: O. Hercog 29/8/ 2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker
Photo: O. Hercog 5/9/2021
Garden bumblebee – (Bombus hortorum – male)
Photo: O. Hercog 18/7/ 2021
Wood bumblebee – (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Occurrence
- It is a frequent inhabitant of mountainous areas, where it can be seen up to an altitude of 2000 m
- However, it has also spread to the lowlands, where it inhabits forested areas rather than open landscapes
- Hygrophilous and very abundant in forested landscapes
- You can find it practically throughout Europe, Asia Minor to the Pacific
- In northern Europe, it has been described as occurring as far as the Barents Sea, and in the south in Greece (but not in the Mediterranean Sea)
Habitat
- inhabits various environments
- prefers shady habitats but also heathlands
- It is often found in forests, including mountain forests – from there it penetrates into wooded mosaic landscapes
Life cycle
- Type:
– morning - Number of generations per season:
– one generation per season (in laboratory breeding it can also nest without hibernation) - Queen mothers look for nesting sites:
– from mid-March (depending on temperatures) - Nesting of mothers:
– March to mid-May - New queen mothers appear:
– from mid-June, in higher altitudes in July - Males appear:
– from mid-June
– males are born in the nest only after the young queens, then the nest produces males until its extinction as in the terrestris species.
Note: unlike the ground bumblebee (B. terrestris), in this species cocoons of young queens sometimes appear during the period of male production. Males can come from the laying of both queens and workers, as in other bumblebees. - The nest ends:
– depending on food sources, the nest ends in the lowlands as early as early July, in higher altitudes as late as September. Its demise is usually rapid.
You often see photos/videos that the author claims are of mating.
But the male can only mate when the female extends her stinger and opens the sting chamber. The mother's stinger is curved and when extended, its tip points upwards. The male must be right behind it - it is not enough for him to sit on the female.
This is clearly visible in this photo of Mr. Doc. Ptáček.
Wood bumblebee – (Bombus lucorum) – mating
Photo: V. Ptáček
In wood bumblebees (B. lucorum), returns to the places where their mothers were born are not common, at least some breeders confirm this.
However, it is common for a mother to fight with a mother of another species that is interested in her nesting site. In such a fight, the stronger individual usually wins. Very often, however, such fights end in the death of one or both opponents.
Often it is the ground bumblebee (B. terrestris) and the rock bumblebee (B. lapidarius) that takes over the already inhabited nest and kills the original inhabitant, or in the worst case, drives it away.
Jaromír Čížek describes cases where he found a large number of dead queens at an interesting nesting site, specifically at a nest of a rock bumblebee (B. lapidarius)
You can read about mothers returning to their birthplaces HERE
The following photo shows a view into the nest of a wood bumblebee (B. lucorum).
In the nest you can see bright yellow cocoons, from which other individuals will soon be born. Also in the center of the photo you can see pollen reservoirs of various plants (a mixture of colors). In the lower left part you can see wax capsules with larvae. The capsules are mostly open, the worker bees feed the larvae through these openings.
In the left part a brown formation. These are the gradually emerging capsules of the larvae, which are growing and are already becoming independent.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – nest
Photo: J. Čížek
Feeding the larvae
- Pollen stores (pollen stores) The queen/worker bees collect pollen from pollen baskets into reservoirs created from empty cocoons or as wax structures in the middle of the nest. Apparently, bumblebees use several ways to create a reservoir. The essential thing is that they store pollen and distribute it from the reservoirs.
In the reservoirs, they crush and shape the pollen with their mandibles to reduce the area of contact with the air. The workers do not close the reservoirs.
This protects them from oxidation and degradation. To feed the larvae, they take it here and mix it with nectar, and feed the larvae the mixture through the feeding holes.
Bumblebees are polylectic – they do not prefer just one plant, but a wide range of different flowering plants. This is why the pollen containers contain different colours and shades of pollen brought by the workers. This is because bumblebees do not cooperate in the same way as bees, and each worker collects pollen on her own, without sharing information with her sisters about its source.
Wood bumblebees like currant and raspberry flowers, but also lupine, huckleberries, fruit trees and willow catkins.
Nest location
- Nests:
– most often underground nesting sites in abandoned nests of small rodent mammals (voles)
– various cavities, sometimes very deep underground
– but also nests in wall cavities where it finds a nest of small rodents
Nest size
- Mostly medium nests
- Number of individuals 100 – 600
Visiting Pac-Man
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis)
Bohemian bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus)
You can learn about the Pachmula HERE
How to distinguish a bumblebee from a wasp
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis), sometimes also called summer bumblebee
- You can read more about the virgin patchouli (B. vestalis) HERE
- Unlike the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum):
– it does not have a worker caste
– a distinctive large round head
– the absence of a yellow band on the 2nd tergide
– neither females nor males have pollen cups on the last pair
– dark wings
– it makes a distinctive gurgling sound in flight
Bombus vestalis
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Note the differences in coloration and the typical head of the patchouli.
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis) – female
Photo: O. Hercog 01/08/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 24/7/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
The head is in most cases a reliable sign to distinguish between a bumblebee and a wasp. You can see for yourself that the wasps have a large and robust head.
Bombus vestalis - male - head
Photo: O. Hercog 4/8/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male head
Photo: O. Hercog 23 07 2021
Vestal bumblebee (Bombus vestalis) – female
Photo: Ondřej Hercog 27/6/2021
Bohemian bumblebee (Bombus/Psithyrus bohemicus)
- You can read more about Bohemian patchouli (B. bohemicus) HERE
- Unlike the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum):
– it does not have a worker caste
– it has a distinctive large round head
– there is no yellow band on the 2nd tergide
– neither females nor males have pollen cups on the last pair
– dark wings
– it makes a distinctive gurgling sound in flight
Bohemian bohemian (Bombus bohemicus)
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
Grove bumblebee – Bombus lucorum
Source: Sikora A., Michołap P., Kadej M., Sikora M. Tarnawski D. 2018 "Pszczoły w mięści: Trzmiele Wrocławia", Wyd. Stowarzyszenie Natura i Człowiek.
It's easy to tell a bumblebee from a bumblebee. But it's harder to tell the species of bumblebee..
But you can see in the photos that, for example, a female bumblebee and a mother bumblebee really cannot be confused.
Bohemian bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus) – female
Photo: O. Hercog 5/6/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – mother (queen)
Photo: O. Hercog 16/ 6/2021
It's a bit more complicated for males. The male bumblebee resembles some species of bumblebees - however, no male bumblebee in the Czech Republic resembles the male wood bumblebee (B. lucorum).
It is always good to look at the head of a pachyderm – its shape and size are typical.
Bohemian bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus) – male (head)
Photo: O. Hercog – 25/7/2021
Wood bumblebee – (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: O. Hercog 15/7/2021
Here you can clearly see the plump head of the Bohemian waxwing (B. bohemicus) and also the fact that it is completely black.
Bohemian bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus) – male – head
Photo: O. Hercog – 23/7/2021
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male (male) head
Photo: O. Hercog 23 07 2021
Breeding information
- Nest box
– a larger nest box is recommended, corresponding to a large nest (ideally an internal volume of 12-15l) - Corridor
– the corridor is primarily long, but can also be medium long (not crucial)
– they were successfully kept in a hive with a long corridor (hive in the garage, flap outside on the wall) - Settlement
– hives are not accepted willingly after settlement, the keeper often fills them in several attempts - Returns of mothers in spring after hibernation
– not common (observations vary) - Self-settlement in the hive
– relatively common
– attacks by queens of larger species, attacks on the settled queen and mutual fighting are common - Food requirements
– demanding for a quality pollen source
– supplementary feeding is recommended at the time when new queens hatch and fly to mate, such queens can take stock of the nest and accelerate its demise
- Interesting facts about breeding:
– breeding this species is not easy – it is not always successful
Interesting facts
- The shortest head of all our species (the longest is the garden bumblebee B. hortorum and the humen bumblebee B. ruderatus)
- In flight, they emit a higher pitched sound than ground bumblebees
- Relatively strong connection to vole nests
- Males are a good indicator of the presence of this species in case you are unable to reliably detect this species from queens and workers.
- It is relatively difficult to distinguish from the double-headed bumblebee (B. crypotarum) – some studies are hesitant about whether it is a different or the same species
- Even distinguishing it from other species is not always easy and reliable without DNA analysis – see the illustrative image. It shows an overlay of color characters and DNA analysis of similar species
- This fact led to the term "Bombus lucorum complex" - defined by Scholl and Obrecht in 1983 as an explanation for the complex of three taxa (B. lucorum, Bombus magnus and Bombus cryptarum), which cannot be easily distinguished from each other even by their morphological characteristics
- B. lucorum in China is not the same species as B. lucorum in Europe. Analysis of the mandibular glands revealed differences. These can be used to differentiate, so it is not possible without chemical analysis.
- J. May describes an interesting detail, namely the details of the sting: "In female patchouli Ps. rupestris and Ps. barbutellus I found five hooks on each sting, and three on the sting groove just behind the tip. The hooks are more developed than in female B. lucorum, but they are also only visible under a microscope. Without a doubt, all species of bumblebees and patchouli have hooks on the groove and stings. I did not find hooks on the groove of worker honeybees. The reason why bumblebees can use their stings several times without them breaking off is
therefore not that the sting has no hooks, but that the hooks are short and blunt." Will you test it too? 😀
Do you find it difficult to identify the type of bumblebee?
Don't despair, it's not something you can tell by eye, and as you can see from the following diagram, even DNA analysis in this case may not give a 100% answer.
In this case, it will help you that you are more likely to encounter the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum) than the double bumblebee (B. crypotarum) and very unlikely the greater bumblebee (B. magnus). The ground bumblebee (/B. terrestris) also belongs to the “Complex lucorum” group, but it is relatively easy to distinguish in our conditions. Although … 😀
"Complex lucorum" - Source Color Patterns Do Not Diagnose Species_ Quantitative Evaluation of a DNA Barcoded Cryptic Bumblebee Complex
Photos and videos
Beautiful photographs by Hana Kříženecká give us a glimpse into the world of the mother bumblebee (B. lucorum) as well as the workers and males.
You can still see the difference in the shades of the color stripes in this young queen. However, their yellow is brighter than that of the ground bumblebee (B. terrestris) and the stripes are also thicker.
Some photos can be confusing, depending on the light and color rendering. But the thicker stripe behind the head says it should be a wood bumblebee.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Here the stripe behind the head is clearly visible – it is stronger and brighter.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: H. Kříženecká
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – queen
Photo: H. Kříženecká
It is not easy to distinguish between workers and queens in the wood bumblebee (B. lucorum). Size can be a clue, but also the time of day when you observe the individual.
Changing the color of the yellow stripes will also help. Young queens have bright stripes, and you probably won't see an older queen with faded stripes outside - so she's probably a worker.
This piece is probably older, its yellow stripe on the back is faded.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker - Photo: H. Kříženecká
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – worker - Photo: H. Kříženecká
The males are truly handsome and elegant. Their bright colors are clear evidence that this is a nest of wood bumblebees (B. lucorum) and not ground bumblebees (B. terrestris). The males of these species are truly unmistakable.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: H. Kříženecká
In these photographs, it is possible to observe the typical yellow elements of the male wood bumblebee (B. lurocum).
Note the facial features and the dense breast hairs and the stripe on the tergites of the rump.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: J. Čížek
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: J. Čížek
Here it is possible to observe how the male's fur gradually loses its golden color and becomes more gray.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: J. Frantl 1/8/2018
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male
Photo: J. Frantl 24/8/2019
Here are interesting shots of a bumblebee nest (B. lucorum).
The mother is recognizable at first glance by her size. Even her yellow stripe on her back is losing color... You can compare her with her daughters.
Here you can see the mounds of laying in the wax case (a darker shade of brown), the open cases with larvae and the yellow closed cocoons. The workers have stripped them of the wax and recycled it to build more cases.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – nest
Photo: J. Čížek
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – nest
Photo: J. Čížek
Here is a shot of a male on the nest. The male will soon leave it and will not return, so he will not even make an orientation flight - he will simply fly away. This is how nature reduces the chance of mating between related individuals.
This male is not even a day old. His colors are just being finalized. Bumblebees are born as gray individuals, the colors appear within 24 hours - due to the action of atmospheric oxygen.
You can also see reservoirs full of yellow pollen in this nest (top part of the photo).
A dark formation is visible in the lower right corner. These are the egg-laying mounds hidden in a waxy case. As the larvae grow, they divide into separate cases and complete their development in them.
Wood bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – male in the nest
Photo: J. Čížek
In the next section you will find video samples documenting the life stages of wood bumblebees (B. lucorum)
Also check out the YouTube videos Čmeláci PLUS and their accompanying text.
This nest was built by wood bumblebees (B. lucorum) in a wall. The year before, mice had lived there and had prepared a good foundation for their nest. Maybe this will put small rodents in gardens on the white list, what do you think?
This was the best spot for bumblebees in the garden in 2019. It provided coolness and shade even when air temperatures exceeded 35°C
The same nest. The footage shows the workers leaving the nest for the first time and making an orientation flight.
It was necessary to wait a long time for these shots, the bumblebees were very shy and the presence of a curious person really bothered them. The girls were simply doing Zagorka..
A worker bumblebee (B. lucorum) returns with a load of pollen to the hive. The hive is located in a garage where the temperature is stable. The long corridor suits bumblebees of this species.
You can read about placing beehives for bumblebees HERE .
The flap is equipped with transparent side panels to allow the passage of bumblebees through the flap to be filmed.
In this video, the worker bees are just learning to walk through the flap. She marks the position of the flap with a cake on the side so that the bumblebees can slowly get used to the procession under the moving part of the flap.
You can read about how to teach bumblebees to deal with such a situation HERE .
The beautiful male is enjoying the beginning of summer. He was born in Prague, where the temperature is always a few degrees higher than the surrounding area. That is why the bumblebee season starts early here, but so does its end.
Dobromysl is very popular with bumblebees. Bumblebees with their short tongues feel right at home here. Males in particular have Dobromysl as their top choice.
Thistles also have shallow flowers and are therefore frequently visited by males of all species of bumblebees and bumblebees. Therefore, if you have roundworms and similar "weeds" growing in your area, give them space and once they bloom, use them as a bumblebee amphitheater.
Don't forget that thistle seeds are a food source for various songbirds. Your view of thistles will suddenly change.
Here, the male wood bumblebee (B. lucorum) plays the role of "bombus star"
The season was slowly ending in the lower elevations, but life was still alive in the Brdy Mountains. This worker bumblebee (B. lucorum) was busy finding the remaining heather flowers in the heathland.
The footage clearly shows the light stripe on her bottom – how it loses its color with age and ends up being practically white/gray-white.