Buff-tailed Bumblebee; Abejorro Común

Description:

Buff-tailed bumblebee flying between poppies (Papaver rhoeas). Probably B. terrestris but it could also be Bombus lucorum. It is impossible to distinguish from this picture. B. terrestris is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe. They are characterized by their white-ended abdomens, apart from their black body with golden-yellow collar and 2nd abdominal segment. It is a big bumblebee, the queen is 2-2,7 cm long and workers 1,5-2 cm. Such bees can navigate their way back to the nest from a distance as far away as 13 kilometres, although most forage within 5 km from their nest.

Habitat:

Alpine meadows at 1800 m. Parque Nacional de Sierra de Guadarrama

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/500 sec., f/11, ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired.