This species is one of Ireland’s smaller bumblebees and is similar in appearance to Bombus hortorum, with a black body, usually with a white tail and three yellow bands (two on the thorax and one on the abdomen). Some specimens occasionally have a buff or peach-coloured tail. The main distinguishing feature is the length of its face, which is much shorter than that of Bombus hortorum. Despite its name it can be found in a wide range of habitats although I have encountered it more frequently in areas of bog and heath.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and fairly frequent, but can be local.

Flight Period: March-October. Workers can appear in April, with the first males appearing early in the year (usually May).

Habitat: A wide range of habitats are used, including scrub, woodland edges, lowland and upland bogs, heath, coastal grassland and gardens. The best habitats to encounter this species are typically bogland, heathland, unimproved grassland and deciduous or mixed woodlands which grow over acidic soils.

Flowers visited: Emergent queens visit dandelions and willows. The workers also visit dandelions, in addition to Bilberry, Wild Thyme, Bell Heather, Ling, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Common Knapweed, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, clovers and brambles. Males can be abundant on brambles, Ling and Devil’s-bit Scabious in areas of good quality habitat.

Personal Records: I have recorded this species widely. It is frequent around Ardara and Dunfanaghy in Co. Donegal as well as the raised bogs surrounding Lough Neagh, such as Peatlands Park, Derrytrasna and Montiaghs Moss, in counties Armagh and Antrim respectively. At these latter three sites it appears to be the most frequent Bombus species.  I have also recorded a single male in the Hillsborough area and workers just south of Kilkeel, at Kilbroney Forest and also at Murlough (all Co. Down), in Crone Woods (Co. Wicklow), Lough Navar (Co. Fermanagh)  and Seagahan Dam (Co. Armagh). It is one of the host species of the Forest Cuckoo Bee (Bombus sylvestris).