Bombus magnus
Large earth bumblebee (Bombus magnus )
The Large earth bumblebee (Bombus magnus ), referred to by some authors as Bombus magnus flavoscutellaris, is an insect of the group of bees ( Apiformes ). She is in Germany in the Red List of Threatened Species as " critically endangered " (Category 2 ) were reported.
Features
The animals reach a body length of 19 to 22mm ( Queen ), 11 to 17 mm ( worker ) or 14 to 16 mm ( drone ). Their wingspan is 38 to 42 mm ( Queen ), 22 to 34 mm ( worker ) or 29 to 33 mm ( drone ). Your furred body has a black color, the thorax and the second abdominal segment carry a wide, yellow transverse fascia. The binding on the thorax extends beyond about two millimeters above the wing root, what is the nature of the similar Yellow - Light (Bombus lucorum ) and dark bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is different. In the very similar Kryptarum - bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum ) reaches the Thorakalbinde about 1.5 millimeters above the wing base addition. In all four species, the last two abdominal segments are hairy gray-white. Her head is very short, the proboscis as well and reached a length of 9 to 10 mm ( Queen ), 8-9 mm ( worker ) or about 8 mm ( drone ).
Occurrence
The species inhabited mainly open terrain of the plains. They are found in Heiden, on fallow land, embankments, ditches, field and meadow edges and gardens, rarely also in forests. In central Europe it occurs to about 1500 m at sea level.
Way of life
The Big bumblebee forms underground nests, usually in abandoned mice nests, with up to 300 individuals. Queens are from mid- April to late May in search of nesting sites. Workers come from early May to early September. Drones and the new generation of queens fly from mid / late July to late September. The species is considered one of the Pollenstorern, which means that in addition to the nectar and the pollen collected is stored in disused brood cells. Among the most important food plants include nettles Black, sainfoin, Hauhecheln, Heather, Spring herbs, black locust, meadows and White Clover, Motherwort and also pussy willow.
Swell
- Eberhard von Hagen, Ambros Aichhorn: bumblebees. determine, settle, reproduce, protect. Fauna Verlag, Nottuln 2003, ISBN 3-935980-28-0