Tree Bumblebee - Bombus hypnorum

Queens, workers and males all tend to have black heads, tawny or darker gingery brown thorax, and a blackish abdomen with a white tail. There is considerable variation with some very dark examples whilst others are predominantly tawny.

Often seen visiting flowers.

April to July peaking from late May to June.

Have been recorded several times nesting in bird boxes in the UK.

First recorded in the UK in 2001 it is expanding its range steadily, but is still most frequent in the south-east.

A recent arrival in Leicestershire and Rutland. It will be interesting to see how quickly it becomes established in our area.