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Common carder bee

Bombus pascuorum, on the variegated ivy on the pergola.

 

The Common carder bee measures 10-15mm, and is indeed common and widespread throughout Britain.

 

They live in social colonies of up to 200, and are in flight from March to November.

They collect moss to build the cover of the nest which can be on or underground.I think they are down a hole near my fernery.

 

They LOVE foxgloves and other deepthroated flowers, and have been busy on the daffodils.

I love the ginger-brown hair on the thorax!

 

 

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Uploaded on March 20, 2011
Taken on April 15, 2009