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Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee

Bombus vestalis

The Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee is a special bee that loves to visit flowers. It is known for its unique black and yellow stripes and helps plants grow by spreading pollen.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee has a bright lemon-yellow collar and a striking white or pale yellow tail. Its body is black with yellow stripes. Females often have less dense fur and no pollen baskets, giving them a slightly shinier abdomen.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee
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Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female Vestal Cuckoos never collect pollen; they don't feed their own offspring!

Inside host nests, the cuckoo queen uses chemical signals to assert dominance.

The 'cuckoo' in its name refers to its cunning, like the bird's sneaky nesting!

This bee often targets Buff-tailed Bumblebee nests to raise its young.

Special abilities

Ability

Scent Mimicry

Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bees can sneak into host nests by mimicking scents, allowing them to take over without a fight.

Ability

Parasitic Nesting

Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bees have a clever strategy to lay eggs in another queen's nest, ensuring their young are raised for them.

Ability

Pollen Basket-Free

Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bees lack pollen baskets; females never gather pollen or food, relying entirely on host bees.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
21-34 mm
Size
14-17 mm
Lifespan
30-365 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

They primarily drink nectar from various flowers for energy, relying on other bees to feed their young.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Thistle nectar
  • Clover nectar
  • Knapweed nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be gentle and calm around bees; they usually won't sting unless they feel scared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee's wingspan?

21-34 mm

How big is Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee?

14-17 mm

How long does Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee live?

30-365 days

How fast can Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee eat?

They primarily drink nectar from various flowers for energy, relying on other bees to feed their young.

Where is Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Vestal Cuckoo Bumble bee have?

6

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