Red-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus lapidarius
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Red-tailed Bumblebee is one of the most distinctive — the all-black body with a vivid red-orange tail is unmistakeable in queens and workers. Males are less obvious (with some yellow). On the dune grassland at Ainsdale they're regular visitors to Viper's Bugloss, Clover and other flowers. Like all bumblebees, the colony is annual — only newly mated queens survive winter to start new colonies in spring.
At a Glance
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae |
| Habitat | Dune grassland · Garden · Rough grassland · Coastal heath |
| Diet | Pollen and nectar from diverse flowers — particularly Clover, Viper's Bugloss, Bramble |
| UK population | Common throughout Britain |
| Sefton Coast | Common on dune grassland throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Dune grassland and scrub at Ainsdale and Formby. Feeds on a wide range of flowers.
Identification
Queen and workers: all black with red-orange tail — distinctive and unmistakeable. Males: yellow face hair and yellow-banded abdomen with red-orange tail. The red tail is always diagnostic for queens and workers.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Present throughout the dune grassland. The vivid red tail on a black body is immediately recognisable. Often feeds on Viper's Bugloss and Red Clover.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Red-tailed Bumblebee so conspicuous?
The vivid red-orange tail on a jet-black body is aposematic (warning) colouration — the bee's sting is a genuine deterrent and the bright colours advertise this to predators. Many other insects (including hover flies) mimic this colour pattern to gain protection without having a sting. This 'batesian mimicry' is one of the most common mimicry systems in British insects.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.