Tree bumblebee, photo by John Spooner 1/1

Tree bumblebee Bombus hypnorum

The tree bumblebee first arrived in the UK in 2001 probably from mainland Europe and it has quickly colonised. It seems to particularly like gardens and woodlands and will often be seen nesting in bird boxes. This distinctive looking bee, with its ginger thorax, black abdomen and white tail can be seen from March until July, being particularly abundant from late spring to early summer.

Conservation status

Tree bumblebees are of low conservation concern.

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Details

Did you know? When a colony starts the workers tend to be small but as the colony establish itself the foragers, workers who go out for food get larger.
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