Vestal Cuckoo Bee
Bombus vestalis
This record describes Bombus vestalis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female length: 20-24 mm Male length: 15-19 mm [12 antennal segments = female /13 = male]. Cuckoo Bumblebees are identified by the lack of pollen baskets on the legs and they usually have tinted wings. Cuckoo bumbles tend to have less dense hair [shiny thorax & abdomen] and their cuticles are thicker to withstand stinging by the host bumbles when they invade a colony. Takes over the nest of Bombus terrestris . The female enters the nest and kills the queen, then laying her own eggs to be reared by the Bombus terrestris workers. Mated female cuckoo bees hibernate through the winter and emerge in the spring later than their hosts. Common in central and southern England, fewer records from 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
Gardens and grasslands.
Seasonal Activity
Late March to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Takes over the nest of
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common in central and southern England, fewer records from elsewhere in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus vestalis. 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 Vestal Cuckoo Bee (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Vestal Cuckoo Bee
What is Vestal Cuckoo Bee?
Vestal Cuckoo Bee (Bombus vestalis) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Vestal Cuckoo Bee?
20-24 mm Male length: 15-19 mm [12 antennal segments = female /13 = male]. Cuckoo Bumblebees are identified by the lack of pollen baskets on the legs and they usually have tinted wings. Cuckoo bumbles tend to have less dense hair [shiny thorax & abdomen] and their cuticles are thicker to withstand stinging by the host bumbles when they invade a colony.
Where is Vestal Cuckoo Bee found?
Habitat: Gardens and grasslands.
When is Vestal Cuckoo Bee active?
Vestal Cuckoo Bee: seasonal activity - Late March to August..
What is the life cycle of a Vestal Cuckoo Bee?
Takes over the nest of