A social parasitic bumble bee species found in Europe, characterized by its specialized brood parasitism within the Bombus genus. Females infiltrate host colonies and replace the queen's reproductive output.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Open grasslands, meadows, alpine regions, and mountain slopes across temperate European landscapes, typically at elevations between 500-2,000 meters.
Ecological Role
Critical role in pollination dynamics and maintaining biodiversity through intricate parasitic interactions with host bumble bee colonies.
Morphology
SKIN COATDense, dark-colored hair coat with variable black and reddish-brown patterns
LIMBS WINGSTwo pairs of membranous wings, powerful flight muscles, specialized pollen-collecting leg structures
HEAD SENSORYLarge compound eyes, specialized antennae for chemical communication and navigation
BODY STRUCTUREMedium-sized bee, approximately 15-20 mm in length, with robust body and dense hair cover
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: German Wikipedia
