In Ireland this species is a rare lookalike of the commoner Bombus lapidarius. The key identifying feature in queens and workers is the presence of red hairs lining the pollen baskets on the hindleg. Males typically have a dull greyish-yellow collar and a faint greyish band across the abdomen, although these are sometimes absent. It is a rare and much declined bee in Ireland, likely due to the loss of viable habitat. Consequently it is classed as Vulnerable.

Distribution in Ireland: Formerly fairly widespread, but most recent records come from western coastal areas.

Flight Period: April-September.

Habitat: Machair, coastal meadows, unimproved pasture, calcareous grassland.

Flowers visited: White Dead Nettle, Kidney Vetch, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, clovers, thistles, knapweeds, scabiouses etc.

Personal Records: A rare species that I have only recorded at one site in Ireland; Sheskinmore (Co. Donegal). Here I have observed workers in late summer foraging on Spear Thistle, Common Knapweed and Ragwort, primarily in the open, flower-rich areas to the south and west of Sheskinmore Lough. Habitats with extensive areas of wildflowers are a necessity, particularly Asteraceae (daisy family) and Fabaceae (pea family) , which seem to be favoured. It is one of the hosts of the Red-tailed Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus rupestris).