This is the commonest of three similar red-tailed species in Ireland , although it has declined in recent decades like many other bee species. Queens and females are black with striking crimson tails and black hairs lining the shiny pollen baskets. Males are similar but have red hairs on the hindleg and a yellow ‘collar’ and head. The two similar species B. ruderarius and B. rupestris are much rarer with the former possessing a duller tail and red-fringed pollen baskets whilst the latter has a more slender body shape, dark smokey wings and lacks pollen baskets altogether. Although it can be seen feeding on ornamental garden flowers, in my experience it seems to prefer native species.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and fairly common, but has declined and is class as Near Threatened.

Flight Period: March-October.

Habitat: Parks and gardens, low intensity farmland, flowery scrub, coastal grassland. In my experience it is most abundant in flowery meadows.

Flowers visited: Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Vetches, Restharrow, Hawkweeds, Dandelion, Clovers, Knapweed, Thistles and others.

Personal Records: This species can be observed in my local area in Hillsborough annually, although it is much more frequent further east along the Co. Down coast at sites such as Castle Ward, Murlough NNR and Killard Point; with the latter site in particular holding impressive numbers of this species. I have also recorded it at Sheskinmore, Co. Donegal, Gyle’s Key (Co. Louth), Cuilleenoolagh (Co. Roscommon) and Navan Fort, Co. Armagh. In all cases, the species has been observed in relatively open areas with abundant flowers. Queens can be found in April or May foraging on legumes or Dandelions, whilst the workers emerge in May and the males in July and visit a wide variety of flowers. It is one of the host species of the rare Red-tailed Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus rupestris).