EXPERTS from Southampton University have caused a buzz of excitement by discovering a species of bumblebee new to the UK.

Biology lecturer Dr Dave Goulson and research assistant Ben Darvil found the bee, Bombus hypnorum, living on the northern edge of the New Forest.

They were carrying out a survey near Bramshaw and Landford when they made their discovery.

Bombus hypnorum is widespread on the continent, where it occurs in gardens and woodland areas, but has never previously been recorded on this side of the Channel.

Its arrival in Britain is thought to be the result of climate change.

Dr Goulson said: "We believe it's the first time a non-native type of bumblebee has been discovered in the UK.

"We were doing a study of British bees when we suddenly saw one which didn't look like any you see in this country.

"It had an orange thorax and a white bottom - a distinctive colour combination not usually seen in any native species."

Dr Goulson said Bombus hypnorum might be breeding in the area.

He said: "It's a woodland species so the New Forest is a very good place for them.

"There are probably a lot more in the area, but we don't know where they are.

"There's no reason to believe that they will do any harm. Bumblebees are generally beneficial through their role in pollination of crops and wildflowers.

"On the continent Bombus hypnorum range as far north as the Arctic Circle, so they could spread throughout the UK."

A Hampshire Wildlife Trust spokesman said: "It's an interesting discovery.

"We do get moths and flies coming in from the continent, but sometimes it's a one-off caused by particular weather conditions carrying them over."

Any recorded sightings of Bombus hypnorum should be sent to Dr Goulson at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton (e-mail dg3@soton.ac.uk).