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Buff-tailed bumblebee


Buff-tailed bumblebee
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Hendriks (hansh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 212 W: 1 N: 138] (574)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-11-08 2:19
Viewed: 110
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bombus terrestris, the Buff-tailed Bumblebee or Large Earth Bumblebee is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe. The queen is 2–2.7 cm long, while the workers are 1½–2 cm. The latter 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 (B. lucorum), a close relative. The queens of B. terrestris have the namesake buff-white abdomen ("tail") tip; this area is white like in the workers in B. lucorum.

Such bees can navigate their way back to the nest from a distance as far away as 13 kilometres (8.1 mi), although most forage within 5km from their nest.

The first bumblebees to be seen in spring are the queens – the queen is the only bumblebee to hibernate through the winter. The queen is much bigger than the workers, which appear later. As soon as the queen has found some nectar, to replenish her energy reserves, she starts looking for a suitable site to build her nest.

The nest site is usually underground; an abandoned mouse burrow is often used. Inside, the queen first builds a nectar pot, which will sustain her during bad weather. She also begins to build up a pollen larder, which will feed her brood.

The queen then lays a small batch of eggs. Once these hatch she tends the larvae, feeding them with nectar and pollen. When the larvae are grown they pupate, and about 2 weeks later the first worker bumblebees emerge. These workers will forage for nectar and pollen for the colony, and tend later generations of larvae. The queen can now concentrate on egg laying and does not need to leave the nest again. The workers are smaller than the queen, and will only live for a few weeks. The foraging range and frequency of workers depends on the quality and distribution of available forage but most workers forage within a few hundred metres of their nest.

Towards the end of summer the queen lays some unfertilised eggs which develop into male bees. Some eggs are also laid which receive extra food and pupate to become new queens. When the males emerge from the nest they do not return, foraging only for themselves. They seek out the new queens and mate with them.

B. terrestris is thought to be a mainly singly-mating species. This is unusual for social insect queens where mating with several males (polyandry) has been shown to have several benefits. The lack of multiple mating by B. terrestris queens may be caused by male interference in the process. B. terrestris males plug the female's sexual tract with a sticky secretion during mating which appears to temporarily reduce the female's ability to successfully mate with other males for several days.

When the autumn cold weather sets in, all but the young queens will die. The latter seek out a safe place to hibernate, they are the only ones to survive the winter.
Mikolaj, Gert-Paassen, marius-secan, siggi, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Hans! Good macro, very good exposure and capture, ideal contrast and sharp, nice natural light and colours. Well done!

Hallo Hans,

Goede macro van deze hommel met mooie egale achtergrond.
Prachtige kleuren.

Gert

Hello Hans,
Very nice details and colours. The blurred background is excellent.
Marius.

Hello Hans,
this shot is very good, sharpness and colours are excellent.
Is this bumble bee resting at the stick?
We can see her tongue very well.
Thanks, I like it
Sabine - wishnugaruda

hallo Hans
wauwh dit is weer een die zo super scherp is
en met erg mooi licht en super kleuren
goede achtergrond
een plaatje Hans
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1376 W: 56 N: 4736] (16296)
  • [2009-11-08 12:36]

Hello Hans.
Great capture. The hairy details on the bee are more than impressive, and the diagonal composition works beautifully. Crisp textures and fine colors, well done.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2993 W: 162 N: 961] (2823)
  • [2009-11-10 4:56]

Hello Hans,
A brilliant capture of the Bumblebee climbing up a stem. Excellent DOF, sharpness and beautiful natural colours.
TFS and regards, Ulla

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