With contributions from Dave Goulson and Gill Perkins, founder and CEO
of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust respectively, this illustrated
pocket guide is the ideal companion for anyone interested in the
naturally occurring species of bumblebee that can be found in the
British Isles.
Thanks to their iconic furry jackets and low hum that embodies the sound
of summer, bumblebees are some of the most charismatic and friendly
insects you're likely to encounter in Britain.
Presented in the same portable and accessible format as the Pocket
Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by the same author,
with a double-page spread dedicated to each species, this guide to
bumblebees will appeal to both beginners and more experienced
hymenopterists alike. It features stunning artwork by the world-renowned
invertebrate artist Richard Lewington, covering the males and queens of
all British true bumblebee and cuckoo bee species, alongside their
common colour variations.
The introduction includes a double-page spread of the 'big 7' species
that are most likely to be encountered in gardens, and additional
sections clearly explain how the reader can differentiate between the
sexes and recognise true bumblebees from cuckoo bees. The 'at-a-glance'
guide provides a quick reference to species grouped by tail colour.
Identification can then be confirmed by following the reference page
number to the appropriate species.
Each species account includes a detailed description covering field
characteristics, habitat and distribution, nest, flowers visited,
parasites and similar species, and is accompanied by a seasonal flight
chart and up-to-date distribution map. Species accounts are interspersed
with spreads showing similar, confusion species, grouped together for
direct comparison, and are followed by an illustrated section showing
bumblebee mimics and lookalikes.
