A nature conservation blog about the fauna and flora of Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Lower Stour Valley, Worcestershire, England.
A nature conservation blog about the fauna and flora of Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Lower Stour Valley, Worcestershire, England.
You are correct, Emily and I have changed the post title as a result. Thanks for pointing out my mistake. 🙂
How to tell the difference between male and female bumble bees:
1. The rear legs of female bumble bees have a shiny, flat pollen basket fringed with long hairs. In fact any bumblebee carrying pollen will be a female, as males do not have a pollen basket.
2. The male antennae has 13 segments and the female 12.
3. The female abdomen has 6 segments, and male 7. However this is very difficult to see in a live bumblebee because of the hairs.
The Wilden Marsh Blog 
Stunning close-ups. Lots of pollen is being collected – probably a Mrs bumble?
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You are correct, Emily and I have changed the post title as a result. Thanks for pointing out my mistake. 🙂
How to tell the difference between male and female bumble bees:
1. The rear legs of female bumble bees have a shiny, flat pollen basket fringed with long hairs. In fact any bumblebee carrying pollen will be a female, as males do not have a pollen basket.
2. The male antennae has 13 segments and the female 12.
3. The female abdomen has 6 segments, and male 7. However this is very difficult to see in a live bumblebee because of the hairs.
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Ah thanks for the info – I hadn’t known about the antennae and abdomen segments!
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She looks very sweet, especially on the first one.
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