Three species of bumblebee in Ireland are virtually identical in appearance and cannot be reliably separated without the use of molecular analysis. These are the White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum), the Northern White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus magnus) and the Cryptic Bumblebee (Bombus cryptarum). The queens and workers of all three species are black with a white tail and one lemon-yellow band on the thorax and one on the abdomen.

Distribution in Ireland: B. lucorum is common and widespread, B. magnus is widely recorded but more so from western and upland areas, B. cryptarum has been recorded primarily from the southeast of the island, with a scattering of sightings from Ulster and 1 from Kerry.

Flight Period:  March-October for B. lucorum, April-September for B. magnus. Precise data for B. cryptarum is unavailable but probably similar.

Habitat: B. lucorum can be found in a wide range of habitats such as gardens, farmland, woodland clearings and edges, heath, unimproved grassland and brownfield sites. B. magnus reportedly favours upland areas, particularly heather-rich moorland and dry heath. Data for B. cryptarum would suggest upland areas are also favoured, but with a preference for pastures, meadows and woodland edges.

Flowers visited: In upland areas, Bell Heather and Ling appear to be important foraging resources. Elsewhere a wide range of flowers are favoured, such as brambles, thistles, scabiouses, knapweeds, clovers, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, willows, dandelions and many garden plants.

Personal Records: The confusion of this taxon means that I cannot say for sure where I have seen each individual species. Those which I have observed in low-lying areas of woodland like Gosford Park (Co. Armagh) or in gardens or farmland in Hillsborough (Co. Down) likely belong to the species Bombus lucorum. However those which I have observed in the Mournes (Co. Down), Wicklow Mountains (Co. Wicklow) and Portnoo (Co. Donegal) are quite possibly one or both of the remaining two species; Bombus magnus or Bombus cryptarum. The three species are believed to be hosts of the Gypsy Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus).