Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee
Bombus rupestris
A large bumblebee with very dark wings, a strong build and boxy head. Relatively widespread in England, but less common in Wales and Ireland, and absent from Scotland.
Appearance
Females are black with a red tail, and their shiny black body is visible through their sparse hair.
Males are similar but smaller, and can be quite variable, often having pale grey bands on the abdomen.
About the bee
– red/orange tail
– sparse black body hair
– very dark wings
Size
– Female: 19mm
– Male: 14mm
Tongue length
– Short
Host
The Red-tailed Bumblebee
Map and flight periods
Similar species
Red-tailed Bumblebee queens and workers are similar but have shorter, denser hair, paler wings, a redder tail and pollen baskets on the hind legs. Males have a yellow collar and extensive yellow facial hair.
The Red-shanked Carder Bee is smaller with denser hair and lacks the dark wings. Males are very alike but usually smaller and lack the box-shaped head.