Common Carder Bumblebee

A very common bumblebee in Europe, here feeding on Sedum in my garden,13 September 2005

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:34 PM

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:35 PM

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:36 PM

face-view

by bonitin Jul 20, 2008 9:37 PM

I had a nest of these bees made in a pile of dried moss in my garden shed this year, I noticed the first activities around the middle of April. A worker coming out...

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 12:26 PM

Still a lot of activity in the middle of September.. 15 th September 2008, Gent, Belgium

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 12:32 PM

Feeding on Linaria purpurea in my garden, 27th August 2008, Gent, Belgium

by bonitin Nov 25, 2008 1:18 PM

Taken on 12th April 2008, Lincoln UK. Feeding on Pieris 'Forest Flame'.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:37 PM

Most likely a Queen, on 12th April 2008.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:39 PM

In this picture you can see the 'tampers' on the head between the antennae, which are used in making nests.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:41 PM

This one has very large pollen baskets on the hind legs!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:43 PM

On 9th April, feeding on Pulmonaria.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:45 PM

On 10th April, delving deeply into a Pulmonaria flower.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:47 PM

On 21st April, feeding on White Deadnettle (Lamium album) on the roadside.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:51 PM

Head on!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:52 PM

They like Red (or Purple) Deadnettle too, Lamium purpureum. You can see the middle of the proboscis where nectar is sucked through.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:54 PM

They vary greatly in colour, but always have a ginger thorax. Heading for Lathyrus vernus.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 2:56 PM

On 8th May feeding on Ajuga.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:04 PM

Flying away from the Ajuga, this one has a very hairy face!

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:07 PM

On 8th May 2008, heading for Rhododendron (Azalea) Purple Splendor.

by wallaby1 Nov 26, 2008 3:11 PM