This is Ireland’s smallest bumblebee and a relatively recent arrival having first been recorded here in 1947. Since then it has largely colonised the island in its entirety and is now one of our commonest bumblebees. Queens and most workers are quite distinct with a yellow band on the thorax, one on the abdomen and an orange tail. Some workers are very faintly marked however and these markings can be more obscure. Males are similar but have an extra band on the thorax and a yellow head. It is not necessarily the earliest bumblebee to appear each year, although workers and males in particular appear earlier than many other species.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and common.

Flight Period: March-October.

Habitat: A wide range of habitats including woodland edges and clearings, brownfield sites, farmland hedges and verges, scrub, parks and gardens.

Flowers visited: Dandelion, Flowering Currant, Bramble, Apple blossom and a range of garden flowers.

Personal Observations: I have recorded it widely around Hillsborough, Co. Down and also in Murlough, Co. Down and Derrytrasna, Co. Armagh. Queens seem fond of Dandelions during the spring whilst workers and males are particularly drawn to fruit blossom, such as Brambles, Raspberries, Bilberry and the non-native Flowering Currant. In my experience open habitats are inhabited  less often by this species when compared to warm, shrubby areas and the one active nest that I have encountered was constructed underground in a south-facing bank in a garden setting.