BRISC Foxy Bumblebees



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Projects -> Bumblebee Survey -> Identification -> Foxy bees

Foxy bumblebees
Bombus pascuorum ID chart and photo photo (queen)	Common carder bee This species emerges later than some of the others. It is a foxy colour all over, but in time this fades and the hairs may become almost white. It may or may not have black hairs on the abdomen. The queen is usually medium sized, but can be large, and the size of workers may also vary greatly. It is common in gardens and elsewhere. Queen, workers and males are similar in colour.
Bombus muscorum ID chart and photo	Scarce carder bee This is usually, but not always, larger than the Common carder bee (B.pascuorum). It has a denser cover of short hairs, varying from bronze to pale yellow. Contrary to the accepted descriptions, it may have some black hairs on the abdomen, but the silvery sheen can be a distinguishing feature. However, all records of this species should be accompanied by a specimen. Queens, workers and males are similar in colours
Bombus distinguendus ID chart and photo	Large yellow bumblebee This magnificent bee is in seriously decline and is now a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species. BWARS is therefore particularly anxious to receive all records of the species including unconfirmed records. No specimen of this species should be collected. Its present UK distribution is now limited to the north and west of Scotland, including the islands, where the favoured flower-rich meadows and machair are still present. It is usually found close to the coast, feeding on knapweed, marsh thistle and clover. Queens are very large, the thorax is yellowish, with a broad black band across the middle, between the wings, while the abdomen is entirely yellow/brownish with a greenish tinge. Workers and males are similar, but smaller. Beware of worn carder bees which may have a worn patch on the thorax.