Bombus lucorum Queen Bumblebee Bee Insect Hymenopterus Apidae

Bombus argillaceus cm 2.4-2.8 Queen Bumblebee Bee Insect Hymenopterus Apidae.
Common name:  White-tailed Bumblebee.
Syn. Apis lucorum, Bombus aritzoensis, Bombus congruens.

Bombus lucorum is a species of bumblebee of the order Hymenoptera widespread and common throughout Europe. This name has been widely used for a number of bumblebee species of nearly identical or cryptic appearance.
B. lucorum is closely related to B. terrestris, B. cryptarum, and B. magnus, with only a few subtle differences in their morphologies. Compared to other bumblebee species, B. lucorum individuals have shorter tongues.
Bombus lucorum is a large bumblebee, with the queen having a length of 18-22 mm and a wingspan of approximately 36 mm. The workers are smaller than the queens, with a length of 12-18 mm, the males measure 16-18 mm and differ more in appearance from the queens with a yellow head from the front and a greater quantity of yellow hairs. The species has a short proboscis. The predominant color is black, but there are both darker and lighter forms. Males vary in color more than females.
B. lucorum nests are found underground and can be very large, containing up to 400 workers. Often these are abandoned nests of old mice or voles. The eggs are laid on a layer of pollen and then covered again with a layer of wax.
Bombus lucorum is distributed widely throughout the world. The species can be found almost anywhere where flowers for food are present.