This distinctive species is unique in Ireland as it is the only species with grey body hair and an orange-haired tail. The sexes are similar, but the males are fluffier with pale facial hairs. It gets its common name from its rather high-pitched buzz, which can be a useful indicator to its presence in the field. It is a much declined species in Ireland and is now more or less confined to the Burren in Co. Clare.  Consequently it is classed as Endangered in Ireland.

Distribution in Ireland: Historically found locally in southern and central Ireland, but nowadays confined to the Burren and surrounding areas in  Cos. Clare and Galway. There may still be one or two outlying populations in Galway or Roscommon.

Flight Period: Queens emerge late, typically in May with the workers appearing in late June. New queens and male can be seen from late July until September.

Habitat: The contemporary habitat in Ireland is primarily limestone pavement and calcareous grassland. It was also historically known from flower-rich dunes and unimproved agricultural grassland.

Flowers Visited: Emergent queens visit brambles, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Bush Vetch, among other flowers. Workers visit similar flowers, in addition to Red Clover, Common Knapweed, Kidney Vetch, Red Bartsia and thistes, whilst the males seem particularly partial to the flowers of Devil’s-bit Scabious, Greater Knapweed and Common Knapweed, at least in the Burren.

Personal Records: I have found this species around Gortlecka in the Burren in Co. Clare, where have I observed several queens visiting flowers of bramble and Bush Vetch, and males later in the year visiting Greater Knapweed and Devil’s-bit Scabious. I have also encounered foraging workers in Cogne, NW Italy visiting various knapweeds above the treeline.