Black Bumblebee

[Ember]

Last night hubby and I got the shock of our lives when in through the open window flew a bumblebee sized black flying object.    It was not buzzing like a bee.  

Bravely hubby took a swipe at it with his paper and it fell behind the TV.    This morning I retrieved it, alive but stunned and right enough it was jet black with a barely discernible stripe like a bumble bee.  I set it free.   Anyone else seen one of these models.   It startled us.    I can tell you we wondered what the heck it was.   Are we to expect more of these genetically altered bees?

[Cetti]

Perhaps it was just  feeling tired so didn't have the energy to buzz.....

Seriously though you don't say whether it was shiny like a beetle, or furry like bees.

The only bee (if is was  a bee!)  I can suggest is a Red-Tailed Bumble Bee. It's large (about 23mm), and appears black all over except for hairs at the tip of the abdomen which are an orangey red.

[Ember]

It was furry like a bumble bee and the size of a large one.  Didn't notice any red/orange hairs. Cheers

[Cetti]

This is an excellent site Ember that shows the Red - Tail, but they are not all this vivid shade. I had a couple that visited my Hebe flowers during  the summer that were quite drab and did look black overall.

 

http://www.spinysoft.co.uk/bumble.shtml

 

[New Forester]

Ember -- you don't say where you are...

 

In Britain, Cetti's suggestion is the most likely.  However, carpenter bees are turning up more and more here (though I've not seen one yet).  These are the size of a large bumblebee, but not quite as furry.  They are black, with a violet sheen on the body, and smoky black wings.  They are quite common in warmer parts of Europe.

See: http://spiders.ucr.edu/images/xyvp.jpg

[Ember]

Cetti thanks for your help, no it isn't the species you suggested.

[Ember]

NF.   Thanks, yes thats the boy and I am up in Edinburgh. Great picture of it.

[New Forester]

Edinburgh -- wow!

 

I think that'll be quite an important and exciting record -- it would be really useful if you could report it.  I'm not sure who the best person is, so I suggest you send a quick e-mail to the Scottish Wildlife Trust ([email protected]), saying exactly what you saw, where, when, and that you want to report it.

 

I've only heard of this beast turning up along the south coast, in the Poole and Brighton areas.

[Cetti]

Wow indeed Ember! 

 As NF says a few of these  rare bumbly-types have been spotted around the south coast (the blue and violet carpenter variety look particularly gorgeous)  but you must have something very special for them to travel so far......

This is worth a look:

http://www.essexfieldclub.org.uk/web%20newsletters/EFC%20Newsletter%2030.htm

 

 

[Ember]

I feel very privileged to have seen this creature, and I am sorry hubby took a swipe at it, but I think it was more in fear than anger.   However, hopefully it is now bumbling around somewhere near.    Don't believe everything you read about Scotland, we have been having some very unseasonable warm weather lately, indeed the evening of the bee invasion was particularly close hence the window being open.    Also my home is directly opposite a golf course with a lovely bird sanctuary just behind it so possibly the wild flora attracted this bee.   love