Barbut's Cuckoo-bee
Bombus barbutellus
Bombus barbutellus, or Barbut's cuckoo-bee, is a species of cuckoo bumblebee, widespread, if not especially common, in most of Europe.
42
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_barbutellus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Apidae
Genus
Bombus
Barbut's Cuckoo-bee belongs to the family Apidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Bombus barbutellus, or Barbut's cuckoo-bee, is a species of cuckoo bumblebee, widespread, if not especially common, in most of Europe.
Barbut's Cuckoo-bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urbanization, which destroys the flower-rich grasslands and meadows it depends on. The species is also threatened by the decline of its host bumblebee species, as cuckoo bees are obligate social parasites that cannot survive without their hosts.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
As a cuckoo bumblebee, B. barbutellus does not build any nest of its own, but usurps the nests of other bumblebees, killing the queen and forcing the workers to raise its own offspring. The main hosts are B. hortorum, B. ruderatus, and B. argillaceus. Favourite food sources are flowering plants such as thistles; the queen also visits white deadnettle and vetches, while the male feeds on bramble,...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Barbut's Cuckoo-bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urbanization, which destroys the flower-rich grasslands and meadows it depends on. The species is also threatened by the decline of its host bumblebee species, as cuckoo bees are obligate social parasites that cannot survive without their hosts.
Agricultural intensification and habitat loss
Decline of host bumblebee species
Loss of flower-rich foraging areas
Climate change impacts on habitat suitability
Urbanization and development
Found in 42 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Barbut's Cuckoo-bee (Bombus barbutellus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/barbuts-cuckoo-bee