Posted on July 12, 2013 By Michael Griffiths
Sunrise: 05.02 am Sunset: 09.27 pm
Category: Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve Tags: Bumble bee, Canon 500D DSLR camera., Canon EFS 60 mm f2.8 macro lens, Insects, Kidderminster, nature, Nature Photography., Photography, Stourport on Severn, Wild Plants, Wilden Marsh, Wilden Marsh Nature Reserve, wildlife photography, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
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Stunning close-ups. Lots of pollen is being collected – probably a Mrs bumble?
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.
Ah thanks for the info – I hadn’t known about the antennae and abdomen segments!
She looks very sweet, especially on the first one.