This is one of the more widely-recorded cuckoo bumblebees in Ireland, although still not particularly common. Females typically have a yellow ‘collar’ on the thorax  and a prominent white tail, with white hairs extending much further up the abdomen than most other species. Faint yellowish hairs may be present on the abdomen (see images below). It has a somewhat scruffy appearance and a strongly downcurved abdominal tip which is black in colour with faint orange colouration. Males have a faint yellow band on the thorax and sometimes have a yellow tail, tipped with orange hairs.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and local but rarely common.

Flight Period: April-August. Females emerge first, with males appearing in late May or June.

Habitat: Woodland rides and glades, scrub, heath, edges of bogs, occasionally gardens.

Flowers visited: Dandelions, knapweeds, brambles, scabiouses, thistles and others.

Personal Records: I have observed this species occasionally in the Hillsborough area (Co. Down), feeding on dandelion and raspberry blossom. I have also seen it at Drumkeeragh Forest (Co. Down), Woodburn Forest (Co. Antrim), Lough Navar (Co. Fermanagh), Blessington (Co. Wicklow), Abbeyleix Bog (Co. Laois) and Ards Forest (Co. Donegal). The host species are Bombus pratorum and Bombus jonellus and this species is typically seen more often in wooded settings and boggy habitats than other cuckoo bumblebees.