We often get asked questions about bumblebees and sent photos and videos of these beautiful bees buzzing around the place. We found ourselves learning more and more about them and thought we’d pass on some of that knowledge.
Did you know?
There are 21 species of Irish bumblebees
The easiest way to identify bumblebees is to start with their tail - at the end of their abdomen. Irish bumblebee tails can be white, red, ginger or blond
Four of Ireland’s bumblebees are endangered and 2 are vulnerable. The Great yellow bumblebee is on the verge of extinction from Ireland
Some of the species of bumblebees in Ireland are cuckoo bumblebees - they kill the real bumblebee queens and lay their eggs in the nest!
Bumblebees are social bees living in colonies with a queen, many female workers, and some males.
For more information go to:
Or buy this brilliantly useful and handy swatch (pictured above) from the National Biodiversity Data Centre