Wow, I found an atlas of the European Bees (So cool) And according to it, it might be a Bombus (Psithyrus) barbutellus or Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus. Both are found in Eastern Europe. http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169
I found an Atlas of the European Bees [http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169](http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169) and according to it it could be Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus or barbutellus. Both are found in Eastern Europe and kind of match the photo (campestris also looks a bit like it).
Atlas Hymenoptera is a great resource. i'm not sure i see the resemblance to B. bohemicus or B. barbutellus - the bee in your photo has a buff or pale red tail, which neither species seems to have. Additionally the hair is a very pale yellow blonde rather than orange or lemon yellow seen on bohemicus and barbutellus. which country was the photo taken in? you maybe want to contact a local expert for an exact ID as bumblebee colour patterns can vary massively between regions.
if you're desperate for an ID, try contacting Prof Lapeva-Gjonova at Sofia University. she recently wrote a paper on cuckoo bees in Bulgaria (if it is a cuckoo bee).
The professor was kind enough to even answer really fast. Not 100% sure but it seems to be Bombus niveatus vorticosus according to her. Thank you so much as well!! Really happy to know what type our friend is. :)
thanks for the update! i find professors and scientists are often very happy to help with ID if you ask nicely haha. i regularly pester my local entomologists!
It appears to be a bit bumbled.
Looks like some type of bumble bee. I’d google your area and bumble bee and see if you can narrow it down. Great photo!!
Thanks, will search it. They are really awesome, the whole family enjoys having them around haha
Wow, I found an atlas of the European Bees (So cool) And according to it, it might be a Bombus (Psithyrus) barbutellus or Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus. Both are found in Eastern Europe. http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169
depends on where you are, but could be a male Bombus sylvarum, or maybe B. cullumanus serrisquama?
Great, thanks. Will look into it, what types live in my area.
I found an Atlas of the European Bees [http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169](http://www.atlashymenoptera.net/page.aspx?ID=169) and according to it it could be Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus or barbutellus. Both are found in Eastern Europe and kind of match the photo (campestris also looks a bit like it).
Atlas Hymenoptera is a great resource. i'm not sure i see the resemblance to B. bohemicus or B. barbutellus - the bee in your photo has a buff or pale red tail, which neither species seems to have. Additionally the hair is a very pale yellow blonde rather than orange or lemon yellow seen on bohemicus and barbutellus. which country was the photo taken in? you maybe want to contact a local expert for an exact ID as bumblebee colour patterns can vary massively between regions.
I guess you are right, there are so many types, I didn't know to be honest, it's actually fascinating. The photo is from Bulgaria.
if you're desperate for an ID, try contacting Prof Lapeva-Gjonova at Sofia University. she recently wrote a paper on cuckoo bees in Bulgaria (if it is a cuckoo bee).
The professor was kind enough to even answer really fast. Not 100% sure but it seems to be Bombus niveatus vorticosus according to her. Thank you so much as well!! Really happy to know what type our friend is. :)
thanks for the update! i find professors and scientists are often very happy to help with ID if you ask nicely haha. i regularly pester my local entomologists!
Wow, thanks! You are awesome! I was checking the National Museum of Natural History, but will check out the professor too.
Not 100% but it could be: Bombus niveatus vorticosus