Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Description:

The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe.
The queen is 22–28 mm long, the males are 13-16 mm and the females (worker bees) are 11–17 mm.
Worker bees are characterized by their white-ended abdomens and look (apart from their yellowish bands being darker in direct comparison) just like those of the White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum), a close relative.
However, Buff-tailed Bumblebees are a little bigger than White-tailed Bumblebees and the males have more orange-yellow hairs instead of lemon-yellow.
In addition, White-tailed Bumblebees have a distinctive yellow nose.
The Buff-tailed Bumblebee also closely resembles the Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) but the Buff-tailed Bumblebee has two yellow bands, whereas the Garden Bumblebee has three yellow bands.
The nest site is usually underground; an abandoned mouse burrow is often used.

1st & 2nd photo: In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 9 July 2017
3rd photo: 's Graveland, The Netherlands, 31 August 2011
4th & 5th photo: In my yard, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 14 August 2018

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