65. Bombus (Bombus) cryptarum (Fabricius)

(Figs 132, 133)

APIS cryptarum Fabricius, 1775:379 .

Taxonomy. Revised by Williams et al. (2012b). This species has been much confused with B. lucorum and the two species are difficult to distinguish reliably except from COI barcodes.

Material examined. 6 workers, 7 males (IAB).

Distribution in North China. Common at medium to high elevations of the Wutaishan forest park in Shanxi, and rare at low elevations of the Great Khingan mountains forests in Neimenggu. 6 localities (Fig. 132) between 401–3056 m (IAB).

Similar species in North China. This species is very similar in its yellow-banded colour pattern to B. longipennis and B. lucorum (see the key; Figs 123, 125, 133).

Distribution in China. Shanxi, Neimenggu, Heilongjiang, Xinjiang (IAB).

Forage plants. ASTERACEAE: Cirsium leo, Saussurea purpurascens; DIPSACACEAE: Dipsacus japonicus, Scabiosa comosa; LAMIACEAE: Elsholtzia densa; ONAGRACEAE: Chamerion angustifolium; ROSACEAE: Spiraea salicifolia .