Bombus pyrenaeus

Bombus pyrenaeus is a species of bumblebee. It is native to Europe, where it occurs in Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine.^[1][2] Its German-language common name is Pyrenäenhummel.^[3] It is a common species, becoming abundant in some areas.^[1]

Bombus pyrenaeus
ssp. tenuifasciatus (female)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Apidae
Genus:	Bombus
Subgenus:	Pyrobombus
Species:	B. pyrenaeus
Binomial name
Bombus pyrenaeus Pérez, 1879

Description

Bombus pyrenaeus can reach a length of 18–20 millimetres (0.71–0.79 in), with a wingspan of 26–30 millimetres (1.0–1.2 in). It has a wide yellow-gray transverse band on the collar, a grayish-yellow transverse band on the scutellum and a third gray yellow transverse fascia between the 1st and 2nd tergites.^[3]

There are several different subspecies separated among mountain ranges:^[1]

• B. p. afasciatus – Tatra Mountains
• B. p. balcanicus – Carpathians and Balkans
• B. p. pyrenaeus – Pyrenees
• B. p. tenuifasciatus – Alps

Biology

This is a species of alpine climates in high mountain ranges.^[1] It feeds on many kinds of plants, but it favors Crocus vernus, thistles, and bilberries.^[4]