Queen Tree Bumblebee

[Chocky]

Found this beauty down by the brook in the local park. She was so big I wondered what it was.
She would not settle. Took ages to get these halfway decent photos.
At least you can see how different she is to our other Bumble bees and this is the Queen
Has been here since 2001 and looks to be staying.

[Catherine]

What a lovely Bumble Bee, Beryl!

She is certainly different from any I've seen too.

You say, 'Has been here since 2001 and looks to be staying.' Has she* (or others) been recorded there before then - and how rare are they?

*Don't know how long queens live - obviously!

[ladylouise62]

What a lucky catch.. and nice to see a newcomer that isn't going to damage the indigenous creatures!

[Chocky]

Thanks Guys
Apparently it has settled and yes, is not a threat to our own species.
I don't think they have been spotted in this part of Devon so I must get it recorded. It is beautiful and very large. I was so intrigued with the size . I will look for others though the workers etc will be smaller. Chris Packham has asked if any one has seen them

[rolf]

Nice find Beryl, how big is it?

[Chocky]

Thanks Rolf About twice the size of the Buff-tailed as I looked at it . It was very large but I had no bee next to it for comparison. Certainly the largest Bumblebee I have ever seen . I wondered what on earth it was. I know there is a much larger one which is very rare.

I have registered it with the Bumble Bee conservation trust now

http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk/tree_bee.htm

[Catherine]

Was checking IDs of several Bumble Bees today and found this;
Have you seen Le Tree Bee? - Field Day

Thought you might be interested!

[Chocky]

Yes. Thank you It's the same Tree Bee.It is believed to have scvome from France.
I had an E-mail from Stirling Bumblebee consevation trust thanking me for regisering my spotting site

University of Stirling