Common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum)
🐝 Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) – Overview
The Common Carder Bee is a widespread species of bumblebee found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It’s easily recognized by its gingery-brown fur and its gentle behavior. As one of the last bumblebees active into autumn, it’s a vital late-season pollinator.
🔍 Identification
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Workers: 10–14 mmQueens: 15–18 mmMales: 13–15 mm |
| Color | Ginger-brown thorax; variable abdomen (tan, brown, or dark bands) |
| Hair | Fluffy, with a soft and “carded” appearance (hence the name) |
| Face | Long-tongued; adapted for deep flowers |
Similar species include Bombus muscorum and Bombus humilis, but B. pascuorum is more common in gardens and urban settings.
🌼 Habitat & Flowers
- Found in gardens, meadows, hedgerows, roadsides, and urban areas.
- Forages from a wide range of flowers, including:
- Red clover, vetch, dead-nettle, knapweed, lavender, and borage.
🐝 Nesting Behavior
- Nests above ground in dense grass, moss, or compost heaps.
- The queen uses moss and grass to “card” and line the nest, giving the species its name.
- Colonies are relatively small (50–150 workers).
♻️ Life Cycle
- Spring: Queen emerges and finds a nest site.
- Early Summer: First brood of workers hatches.
- Mid–Late Summer: Male bees and new queens produced.
- Autumn: Males and old queens die; new queens hibernate.
🧠 Fun Facts
- Unlike honeybees, bumblebee colonies do not survive winter — only new queens overwinter.
- One of the last bumblebee species active into October/November, depending on the region.
- Considered a key pollinator in both wild and agricultural ecosystems.
🌱 How to Help Them
- Grow nectar-rich flowers that bloom from spring to autumn.
- Avoid using pesticides, especially neonicotinoids.
- Leave areas of unmown grass or log piles for potential nesting sites.
Post Comment