Red-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus lapidarius
This record describes Bombus lapidarius (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lengths queen 20-22 mm, workers 11-16 mm, male 14-16 mm. Bombus lapidarius is probably the most easily recognised bumblebee species, with its black body and bright orange tail. The workers have the same colouring as the queen but are much smaller. The males also have similar colouring but with more yellow hair. These bees prefer to nest underground and the base of a dry stone wall is a popular location but it will nest under other stones and slabs. The size of the nest can vary considerably from over 200 bees to less than 100. Fairly common in Britain and have expanded northwards to include Scotland.
Wikipedia reference for Bombus lapidarius: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_lapidarius.
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
Commonly seen in gardens and hedgerows.
Seasonal Activity
May to September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
These bees prefer to nest underground and the base of a dry stone wall is a popular location but it will nest under other stones and slabs. The size of the nest can vary considerably from over 200 bees to less than 100.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in Britain and have expanded northwards to include Scotland.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus lapidarius. 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 Red-tailed Bumblebee (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-tailed Bumblebee
What is Red-tailed Bumblebee?
Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Red-tailed Bumblebee found?
Habitat: Commonly seen in gardens and hedgerows.
When is Red-tailed Bumblebee active?
Red-tailed Bumblebee: seasonal activity - May to September..
What is the life cycle of a Red-tailed Bumblebee?
These bees prefer to nest underground and the base of a dry stone wall is a popular location but it will nest under other stones and slabs. The size of the nest can vary considerably from over 200 bees to less than 100.