THE HYMENOPTERA OF ESSEX
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Walden, 27.8.1960; Walton-on-the-Naze, 3.9.1960; and Woodford
Green, 16.7.1960.
Bombus cullumanus (Kirby, W., 1802). Smith (1891) claims
to have taken four ♂ and two ♀ at Southend at the end of
August. However, Yarrow (1954) states that the specimens are
B. pratorum. Therefore, it appears that this bee, which is a very
rare species in this country, cannot be claimed as having occurred
in Essex. It has occurred in Hertfordshire, Palmer (1924).
Bombus distinguendus Morawitz, 1869. No Essex records, but
a nest was found near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in 1925, Palmer
(1927).
Bombus hortorum (Linnaeus, 1761). Colchester, 1902, W. H.
Harwood; Knighton Woods, Buckhurst Hill, 23.5.1952; Fyfield,
19.4.1952; Loughton, 24.4.1952; Aveley, August 1956, R. Knowles.
Bombus humilis (Illiger, 1806). In the past this bee has been
confused often with B. agrorum and B. muscorum. Harwood
(1884) states "Common species about here (Colchester), especially
towards the coast"; and there are specimens in his collection
which are labelled Colchester, 1898 and 1903. The only recent
record is one '1 from Grays, 12.8.1961; and appears now to be
one of our less common bees.
Bombus jonellus (Kirby, W., 1802). No Essex records. It has
occurred in Suffolk, Morley (1935-1937), and Palmer (1924) stated
it to be rare in Hertfordshire.
Bombus lapidarius (Linnaeus, 1758). This is one of our more
common bumble-bees. Records include W. Mersea, 3.8.1884, W.
White; Colchester, 8.8.1919, Harwood; St. Osyth, 1925, Harwood;
Skipper's Island, Thorpe-le-Soken, 4.7.1959, A. C. Wheeler; Dan-
bury, 19.7.1959, A. C. Wheeler; Navestock Park, 20.8.1960; Wood-
ford Green, 16.7.1960; and Layer-de-la-Haye, 24.9.1961.
Bombus lapponicus (Fabricius 1793). Harwood (1903) states
". . . of B. lapponicus only a single specimen, which was captured
on a sea holly flower at St. Osyth, has been found; it is a moun-
tainous species, and as far as can be ascertained no other speci-
men has been recorded from the south of England". There are
not any Essex specimens in either the Harwood collections or the
Cole-Fitch collection. This species is usually found in mountainous
districts, and Dr. I. H. H. Yarrow (personal communication) said
that he would query very much any Essex record. Therefore, it
is doubtful as to whether this species can be claimed as having
occurred in Essex.
Bombus lucorum (Linnaeus 1761). This is one of our com-
monest bumble-bees, and occurs over most parts, if not all of the
county.
Bombus muscorum (Linnaeus 1758). In the past this bee has
been confused with B. agrorum and B. humilis. It is one of our
less common bees and it is supposed to be confined chiefly to
marshy districts, at least in the southern and eastern counties.
Colchester, 1899, W. Harwood: Skipper's Island, Thorpe-le-Soken,
16.4.1960 and 12.6.1960, R. J. Knowles; Layer-de-la-Haye, 24.9.