Photo: N. J. Vereecken / CC BY 4.0
Bombus gerstaeckeri
Gerstaecker's Bumblebee
A large montane bumblebee with a very long tongue, specialised almost exclusively on monkshood (Aconitum, Ranunculaceae). Queens (20–26 mm) have a yellowish-grey thorax, black abdominal band, and a white tail. It nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows or rock crevices, with colonies of up to 100 workers. In Switzerland it occurs in the Alps and Jura from 800 to 2500 m, foraging on Aconitum in mountain meadows and tall-herb communities. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 15–26 mm
- Flight Period
- June to September
- Nesting
- Ground
- Specialization
- Monkshood (Aconitum/Ranunculaceae)
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Apidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | N. J. Vereecken | CC BY 4.0 |
| 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
