Photo: James K. Lindsey / CC BY-SA 3.0
Bombus barbutellus
Barbut's Cuckoo Bumblebee
A cuckoo bumblebee (16–17 mm) that parasitizes nests of garden bumblebees (Bombus hortorum) and similar species. The female has a pale yellow collar, a white tail, and lacks pollen baskets since it does not collect pollen for its young. It emerges in April to search for host nests, and males are seen from June to August visiting a variety of flowers for nectar. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 13–17 mm
- Flight Period
- April to September
- Nesting
- Brood parasite
- Specialization
- parasite of Bombus hortorum
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Apidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | James K. Lindsey | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Taxonomy & Distribution | InfoFauna Switzerland | Public data |
| Global Distribution | GBIF | CC BY 4.0 |
Data Quality
High Quality Last audit: 2026-05-22
Completeness: 100%
✓Photo exists✓Traits consistent✓Description quality✓Red List referenced✓Attribution verified
Confidence: 83%
IdentifiabilityHighImage confidenceMediumImage qualityHighTrait coherenceHigh
