Bombus lapidarius – Red-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius is a species of bumblebee in the subgenus Melanobombus. Commonly known as the red-tailed bumblebee, B. lapidarius can be found throughout much of Central Europe. Known for its distinctive black and red body, this social bee is important in pollination.

This was once a very scarce bee in southern England but in the last fifty years it has become very widespread.