Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee
Bombus sylvestris
This record describes Bombus sylvestris (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
To be seen around the nests of Bombus pratorum. Cuckoo Bumblebee of Bombus pratorum. Males tend to patrol mating circuits within 1 m of the ground. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Apidae
- Genus
- Bombus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
To be seen around the nests of Bombus pratorum.
Seasonal Activity
Spring and summer.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Cuckoo Bumblebee of Bombus pratorum. Males tend to patrol mating circuits within 1 m of the ground.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus sylvestris. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee
What is Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee?
Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee (Bombus sylvestris) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee found?
Habitat: To be seen around the nests of Bombus pratorum.
When is Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee active?
Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee: seasonal activity - Spring and summer..
What is the life cycle of a Four Coloured Cuckoo Bee?
Cuckoo Bumblebee of Bombus pratorum. Males tend to patrol mating circuits within 1 m of the ground.