Bumblebees are a familiar sight, but can you tell the different species apart? Here is the Wildlife Trust’s guide to the most common bumblebees in the UK.
Bumblebees are one of the most familiar and end
Bumblebees are a familiar sight, but can you tell the different species apart? Here is the Wildlife Trust’s guide to the most common bumblebees in the UK.
Bumblebees are one of the most familiar and endearing garden insects. Hearing their distinctive buzz in the air and spotting them dance from flower to flower epitomises a perfect summer’s day. They are also vitally important for pollinating hundreds of plant species, including many crops that provide our food.
Of the 27 species of bumblebee recognised to inhabit the UK, three are now extinct and many have suffered considerable declines in distribution. Our ID tips below should give you a helping hand to identify five of the most common you might see in your garden.
The white-tailed bumblebee is a very common bumblebee that emerges early in the spring and can be seen right through to the autumn. It can be found in gardens, farmland, woodland edges, hedgerows and heathland: anywhere there are flowers to feed on. As the name suggests, it has a white tail as well as a yellow band on the thorax and on the abdomen. The markings are similar to other species, such as the buff-tailed bumblebee, so look for their bright white tail.
The tree bumblebee is a relatively new arrival to the UK. First recorded here in 2001, it is slowly spreading north throughout the country. It nests in cavities such as bird nest ho