This rather attractive boreo-alpine bumblebee is a relatively recent colonist in Ireland, first appearing in 1974  in Wicklow and then about 10 years later  in Tyrone and Antrim. Since then, they have spread throughout the Antrim Plateau and the Wicklow Mountains and have even expanded further west. They are still very local and quite distinctive, bearing a predominantly red abdomen and two lemon-yellow thoracic bands. The males have additional yellow hairs around the head region.

Distribution in Ireland: Strongholds exist in the Wicklow Mountains and the Antrim Plateau. It has also colonised the Blackstairs Mountains in Carlow and Wexford. There are isolated records in south Waterford, south Sligo, Tyrone and Derry.

Flight Period: Late March-late September. Workers emerge in May and males emerge in June or July.

Habitat: Favours upland areas, particularly moorland, dry heath and blanket bog with a varied topography and along flower-rich edges of conifer plantations and upland deciduous woodlands. Occasionally seen at lower altitudes.

Flowers visited: Spring queens visit dandelions, willows and Bilberry. Workers are also fond of Bilberry, but Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Tormentil,  , Devil’s-bit Scabious, Ling,  clovers, saxifrages, heathers, knapweeds and thistles are also favoured. Males will visit Devil’s-bit Scabious, Marsh Thistle, Ling and others.

Personal Records: In Ireland I have only recorded this species near Cargan Dam in Co. Antrim, despite searching for it in the Wicklow Mountains and the Blackstairs. At this particular site, several workers were observed foraging on Bird’s-foot Trefoil on a gravelly track along the edge of a conifer plantation. To my knowledge, no nests have been found of this species in Ireland. I have also recorded it in the alpine valleys near Cogne in NW Italy, where it was frequent around the tree-line.