Hill Cuckoo Bee
Bombus rupestris
This record describes Bombus rupestris (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Body lengths, female 22 mm, male 16 mm. The queens are large with a black body with a 'tail' of red hairs at the tip of the abdomen. The wings are suffused dark brown. Males are smaller with clear wings and many have some dull yellow hairs on the front of the abdomen and on both the front and rear of the thorax. These yellow hairs, however, do not form a distinct band. It is found along with the host bee, the Red-tailed Bumblebee ( Bombus lapidarius ), in dry unimproved, grassland, often on the coast. Bombus rupestris adults can be seen from April/May to September. Takes over the nests of Bombus lapidarius . Mated queens of Bombus rupestris overwinter and emerge somewhat later than the host. Local in central and southern England and quite scarce (often coastal) elsewhere 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
It is found along with the host bee, the Red-tailed Bumblebee (
Seasonal Activity
Bombus rupestris
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Takes over the nests of
Additional species information
Recorded status
Local in central and southern England and quite scarce (often coastal) elsewhere in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus rupestris. 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 Hill Cuckoo Bee (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Hill Cuckoo Bee
What is Hill Cuckoo Bee?
Hill Cuckoo Bee (Bombus rupestris) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Hill Cuckoo Bee found?
Habitat: It is found along with the host bee, the Red-tailed Bumblebee (
When is Hill Cuckoo Bee active?
Hill Cuckoo Bee: seasonal activity - Bombus rupestris.
What is the life cycle of a Hill Cuckoo Bee?
Takes over the nests of