Bombus rupestris is a species of cuckoo bumblebee present in most of Europe except Iceland. In the Balkans it is found in montane and alpine habitats northwards from Central Greece.[2][3] It is also found in Turkey.[3]
Bombus rupestris | |
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Male | |
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Female | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Apidae |
Genus: | Bombus |
Subgenus: | Psithyrus |
Species: | B. rupestris
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Binomial name | |
Bombus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)
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Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe female is much larger than the male; she has a length of 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in), while the drone usually is not more than 16 mm (0.63 in).[4] The bumblebee is black, with the last abdominal segments coloured orange-red.[5]
Due to its parasitic lifestyle, no workers exist.
Behaviour
editBombus rupestris is found in flower-rich habitats, such as meadows and along hedgerows.[4] The bumblebee parasitizes the nests of the red-tailed bumblebee, B. lapidarius, whose queen is killed or subjugated.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Bombus rupestris (Fabricius, 1793)". Biolib.cz. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ^ Anagnostopoulos, Ioannis Th. (2009). "New records of bumble bees from the Northwestern mountainous region of Greece (Hymenoptera, Apidae)" (PDF). Entomofauna. 30: 445–449.
- ^ a b Discover Life. "Discover Life map of Bombus rupestris". Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ a b Jim Lindsey (retired professor of Biostatistics). "Bombus rupestris". Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ a b Dr Brian Nelson, Ulster Museum. "Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris – a cuckoo bumblebee". National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 28 February 2009.