Field Cuckoo Bee
Bombus campestris
Declining, but still fairly common in most of England and Wales. Much scarcer in Scotland and Ireland.
Appearance
Females have a dark yellow collar and yellow hairs on the thorax where it meets the abdomen. The abdomen has very little hair so is visibly shiny. There are two patches of buff-yellow hair on either side of the tail, separated by short black hairs.
Males resemble females, but can vary greatly from very pale to almost completely black. Males also have black hair on their face and at the tip of their tail.
About the bee
– dark yellow collar
– buff-yellow patches on tail
– females have shiny abdomen
Size
– Female: 15mm
– Male: 13mm
Tongue length
– Short
Host
Primarily the Common Carder Bee, and sometimes other carder bees.
Map and flight periods
Similar species
Forest Cuckoo Bees often have yellow tails, but the tip is more obviously black haired, often with orange hairs at the very tip. They are less likely to be found in gardens.