OK I give up! I've tried my very limited general guide and Googled but I can't nail this bee! It has some features of Bombus Pratorum but as can be seen on the very poor flying shot there's definitely no additional yellow band on the abdomen and it looks less unkempt. Another one I considered was Bombus Lapidarius but that's definitely a ginger tail and not red and again there's only that yellow collar. So if anybody has expertise in this area I would be very grateful for your help.
Hi John,
I'd go with B. pratorum worker. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust site says: "The abdominal yellow banding is less pronounced or missing in workers."
But I'm no expert either! Lol!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
In reply to Rockwolf:
Hi Marjus,
Thanks for your ultra quick response. I did see that comment on the BCT site and another French one showing the colour bands on the Queen, Male and Female showing a plain dark abdomen on the worker - loved the fact that the worker was describes as an 'ouvrière' - but when I looked at all of the photos of B.pratorum I couldn't find an exact match (could be because they're mainly of Queens) so I thought I'd float it on here.
I hope you don't mind if I hold off confirming for a while to allow others to view it.
One of the first signs of spring I believe. Male Orange tipped bumble bee - Bombus pratorum
Pat Adams - Flickr - BLOG
In reply to northdevonfocus:
Thank you so much both! I'll go with Bombus Pratorum then, although Pat I think it has to be a worker as the male has an additional yellow abdominal band. I'll make sure I tag it because there's a real dearth of images of B. Pratorum workers which is why I couldn't call it.
In reply to john_l_uk:
Hi John, yes you are most certainly right. I only ever look for the orange tip because if I see one I know Spring has arrived. Interesting to find out the differences so thanks.