TREE BUMBLEBEE

THIS is a relative newcomer, having made it across the Channel from mainland Europe in 2001, and has spread rapidly so that it is now a common species across most of Britain.

While bumblebees often build their nests low down, in old mouse holes, among grasses or under compost heaps and sheds, this species opts for more lofty locations and frequently takes over bird boxes (below). They can also nest in holes in trees or under roof tiles, which can alarm people. However, the lodgers never hang around for long. Bumblebee colonies are only active during the warmer months, and by late July tree bumblebee colonies will have disbanded.

The tree bumblebee is distinctive looking, having a gingery-brown body and black tail with a white tip. The neatly divided brown, black and white sets it apart from other species. We have brown bumblebees, and bumblebees that are almost entirely black, and bumblebees with white tails, but none have a combination of all three elements apart from the tree bumblebee.