The Tree Bumblebee
Beebombs have a mission, a mission to re-create Britain's lost wild habitat and #bringthebeesback.
The Beebomb Bee-log has a closer look at recent immigrant to these shores - The Tree Bumblebee
Common Name: The Tree Bumblebee
Latin Name: (Bombus hypnorum)
Information:
A new arrival to the UK, the Tree Bumblebee was first spotted in the UK only in 2001. It seems to have made it's way here without outside interference from mainland Europe and is expanding it's range rapidly across the UK. It is an excellent pollinator and doesn't seem to be adversly affecting the native bee populations, so is a welcome addition.
Description:
The Tree Bumblebee can be mistaken at first for many of our more common Bumblebee species but does have some very distinctive markings. They are orange, black and then white tailed from underneath, as in the image below.
Despite their name, you are more likely to find them nesting in buildings or bird boxes than trees and this behaviour of living in habitat that many other bees do not populate, allows them access to flowers in more urban areas and has contributed to their proliferation.
Concern Level: Low
Distribution: Widespread throughout the UK
