Small Garden Bummblebee

IUCN list: Not Rated, though abundant throughout range.

Description: Is a fairly large fluffy bee with black, yellow and white stripes. This bumblebee's tongue is almost as long as it's body.

Hive Life: Their hives work in a caste system. There is the Queen which is responsible for repopulating the nest, and the workers who go out and pollinate the flowers. Their hives contain 50 up to 120 insects, and are present between April and October. The Queen is the only Bee who survives the winter.

Habitat: Widespread through Britain, and has been introduced in the Palaearctic region as well as New Zealand and Iceland. Most gardens will have them as they are one of the most common species.

References: Arkive BBC

Photographer: Nigel Downer