Common Carder Bee
Bombus pascuorum
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Common Carder Bee is a gingery-brown bumblebee — quite different from the yellow-and-black pattern of most bumblebees. It gets its name from the habit of 'carding' — combing together dry grass, moss and leaves to create an above-ground nest, unlike species that nest in pre-formed cavities. It has one of the longest seasons of any bumblebee, active from March to November. In autumn when other bumblebee species have ended their season, Common Carder Bees are often still foraging.
At a Glance
| Order | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae |
| Habitat | Dune grassland · Scrub edge · Garden · Rough grassland |
| Diet | Pollen and nectar from diverse flowers; particularly fond of Woundwort, Clover, White Dead-nettle |
| UK population | Very common throughout Britain; often the most abundant late-season bumblebee |
| Sefton Coast | Common throughout the Sefton Coast; often the dominant bumblebee in autumn |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Dune scrub and grassland throughout the Sefton Coast. Feeds on a wide range of flowers.
Identification
Ginger-brown throughout — no black bands. Variable — some individuals quite pale, others darker. The consistent gingery-brown colour (workers and queens) separates it from all other UK bumblebees. Males: yellow face hair.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Any uniformly gingery-brown bumblebee is Common Carder. Very common in late summer — in September, most bumblebees on the dune grassland will be Carder Bees.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'carding' in the Common Carder Bee?
Carding is the process of gathering and combing dry plant material (grass, moss, leaves) to make a nest. Female Common Carder Bees collect fibrous material and work it into a ball around their brood cells, providing insulation. Unlike bumblebees that use existing cavities (rodent burrows, bird nest boxes), Carder Bees construct their nests on the surface, usually in tussocky grass.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.