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Bombus lapidarius

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Red-tailed bumblebee
Queen
Drone
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: Melanobombus
Species:
B. lapidarius
Binomial name
Bombus lapidarius

Bombus lapidarius is the red-tailed bumblebee.[1] They are solitary bees usually found in holes in walls and the ground.

The Bombus lapidarius usually emerges in early spring and hibernates from around august to march. A male or drone has a yellow head and a squared off tail whereas the female has a rounder tail and a black head. The bee lives nearly all over the globe and is most commonly found in Europe. They have a reasonably mild temprament and do not sting unless they feel threatened. They collect nectar from wildflowers such as heather and daisies. Bombus lapidarius lay their eggs in tubes and holes and cover the entrance with soil and leaf litter to hinder predators. The larvae chew through this layer and emerge as small bees. The Bombus lapidarius can live for up to 3 years depending on weather conditions.

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