ICuckoo Bee > Bombus sylvestris

Description: This is a fairly common cuckoo bee, seen regularly all over Europe, including the British Isles. It is not a big species and a parasite to Bombus pratorum mainly, to which it bears a good resemblance. But it is known using other hosts as well, especially the Common Carder Bee. Both females and males reach a length of approximately 15 mm. Strangely enough the females have a bigger wingspan: males reach 30 mm., females 35 mm. There's evidence that the females find the nest of their host by scent. Once inside their host's nest they often sit still for hours on end, picking up the scent of the nest before depositing the eggs. Once accepted by the host she'll leave the nest to feed, returning frequently to deposit even more eggs. Return to Bees Index Return to Main Index bees, hives, honey, bees, hives, honey, bees, hives, honey,