Common Carder Bumblebee

A very common bumblebee in Europe, here feeding on Sedum in my garden,13 September 2005

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:34 PM

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:35 PM

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:36 PM

face-view

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:37 PM

I had a nest of these bees made in a pile of dried moss in my garden shed this year, I noticed the first activities around the middle of April. A worker coming out...

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 12:26 PM

Still a lot of activity in the middle of September.. 15 th September 2008, Gent, Belgium

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 12:32 PM

Feeding on Linaria purpurea in my garden, 27th August 2008, Gent, Belgium

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 1:18 PM

Taken on 12th April 2008, Lincoln UK. Feeding on Pieris 'Forest Flame'.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:37 PM

Most likely a Queen, on 12th April 2008.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:39 PM

In this picture you can see the 'tampers' on the head between the antennae, which are used in making nests.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:41 PM

This one has very large pollen baskets on the hind legs!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:43 PM

On 9th April, feeding on Pulmonaria.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:45 PM

On 10th April, delving deeply into a Pulmonaria flower.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:47 PM

On 21st April, feeding on White Deadnettle (Lamium album) on the roadside.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:51 PM

Head on!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:52 PM

They vary greatly in colour, but always have a ginger thorax. Heading for Lathyrus vernus.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:56 PM

On 8th May feeding on Ajuga.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:04 PM

Flying away from the Ajuga, this one has a very hairy face!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:07 PM

On 8th May 2008, heading for Rhododendron (Azalea) Purple Splendor.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:11 PM

On 18th May, a very orange one feeding on Rhododendron (Azalea) Purple Splendor. If it has black hairs on the abdomen it is B. pascuorum, B. muscorum does not but has very orange thorax hairs.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:17 PM