David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
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Hymenoptera 63 – Moss Carder Bees
MOSS Carder bee Bombus muscuorum
·
This
Moss Carder Bee Bombus muscuorum was
photographed feeding on Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor at
a coastal site in Kent where this uncommon bee has a well-established colony. The
pile on the central area of the thorax can be a much deeper orange than shown
on the above example but the margins are always a paler creamy yellow (an
important identification feature when making comparisons with other yellow
carder bee species). Exposure to strong sunlight can cause bleaching in older
specimens. When flying the deep hum of this splendid large bumblebee is quite
distinctive. These bees can be mobile and elusive, requiring quite a lot of
persistence and legwork on uneven surfaces when pursuing them. One should also
take particular care to avoid kneeling on debris (including broken glass) when
photographing bees feeding on low shingle vegetation.
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