All black bumble bee

wilderness · Apr 4, 2009

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/album.php?albumid=40&pictureid=287

This is the first year I've seen these in my garden. They are about 1cm long and have a very long tongue. I'll try to get a better photo but they are very fast.

Any idea what they are? Bombus Ruderatus??

Bcrazy · Apr 5, 2009

Re Black bumblebee anything like this beauty?

Regards;

wilderness · Apr 5, 2009

Yes, that's the one. What is it?

Bcrazy · Apr 5, 2009

Forgot to get the common name but check this out as it gives info on the black bee.
http://www.bumblebee.org/OTHERbees.htm

Regards;

wilderness · Apr 6, 2009

done a bit more research and I reckon the one I have in the garden is Anthophora plumipes. The speed of flight and the long tongue are other pointers to it being this bee. I've also seen a similar sized brown bee (the male?) chasing the black female.